Draft rumors to ponder, debate and question

There are a lot of rumors, head fakes and jukes floating around draft circles as teams are gearing up their misinformation machines with only a few days to go before the 2009 NFL Draft. Among the gossip items that I am having a hard time wrapping my head around or buying into include...

- why the Seahawks and Jags are "considering" taking the inexperienced Mark Sanchez in round one. Just a year ago, both teams were legitimate Super Bowl contenders, but injuries and other issues derailed those dreams.

The Jags may have taken a step back overall and have several holes to fill, but they are in a great position to get a receiver or defensive lineman and I believe that head coach Jack Del Rio will turn this team around. Also, the solid but unspectacular David Garrard has no aerial weapons. Help his cause and you don't do that by taking a passer whose lack of experience will keep him on the bench this season.

As for the Seahawks, they are in the improving, but still subpar NFC West. Adding another piece to the puzzle could easily have them back a top the division and thus only a couple of wins from the Super Bowl. Tackle and receiver are also more immediate needs and could be filled in the first round. Plus, Matt Hasselbeck, IF healthy, is still one of the best passers. Get a better backup, but that shouldn't come in round one. If I slot Sanchez in at #4 on my final mock, it will be because of a believe that some team will trade up.

- why Tyson Jackson is suddenly the hot prospect. A 3-4 run stuffing end with limited pass rushing stats in college just doesn't sound like a top-5 pick to me.

- why the Saints are thinking offense with their first-round pick. The offense is not the problem, nor do I think Chris "Beanie" Wells, the skill player most often slotted at #14, is the answer. They need help on defense like nobody's business. Be it Malcolm Jenkins or a USC LB or whatever, the pick should be on that side of the ball

- why I don't see any pundit other than Mel Kiper Jr. praising Matthew Stafford to the hilt

- why the Giants or Ravens have not already made a deal to acquire Braylon Edwards and Anquan Boldin respectively. Considering both teams were arguably one top notch receiver away from reaching the Super Bowl, dealing a late first round pick for a potentially dynamic (Edwards) or consistently producing (Boldin) receiver is a no-brainer. I'm sure there is trade talk posturing going on - and I am not sure I would add anything better than a 4th round or pick or expendable veteran - but these contenders should get this down. The same could be said for the Eagles, but they likely made their play already by trading for LT Jason Peters.

- why the Redskins would remotely consider trading up to get almost anyone, especially a QB. The veteran laden Skins have only five picks total and that comes on the heels of their 2008 draft class looking more bust than boom at this early stage. They are in great position at 13 to get a much-needed OT or DE and even trading down would be fine, if not preferable. Maybe they are bluffing about taking Sanchez, but that is not historically part of the aggressive Dan Snyder's plan of attack.

- why James Laurinaitis is falling to the second-round. Five years from now, a lot of GMs will have proven to be short sided when the former Buckeye stars turns into a NFL stalwart.

- if Percy Harvin is going in the late first-early second because Reggie Bush, the player he is most often compared too, has been inconsistent in the pros. Neither player has a true position, though their dynamic abilities keep them on the field. Well, when injuries don't keep them on the sideline, that is, a proble for both players. Still, I think if the former Heisman Trophy winner had blown the league away on a more consistent basis, Harvin would be top 10-15, not 25-40.

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