Will Ryan be available at No. 8?
Speculation that the Ravens are targeting Michigan quarterback Chad Henne has really picked up over the last 48 hours, due in large part to Peter King's column on SI.com.
However, let's take a break on the Henne chatter for the moment and examine what would have to take place for Boston College's Matt Ryan to be available at No. 8:
1. The Falcons pass on him at No. 3. It's no secret that Atlanta needs a quarterback after the Michael Vick fallout from a year ago. The new man in charge is general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who went to Atlanta after serving as the Patriots director of college scouting. If the Falcons pass on Ryan and keep the pick, the other strong possibilities appear to be: LSU's Glenn Dorsey, who some believe is the best player in the draft and Virginia defensive end Chris Long. One of those players is expected to go No. 2 to the Rams so the Falcons will likely be deciding between the other one and Ryan.
2. The Chiefs pass on Ryan at No. 5. Kansas City was the only team that sent a coach (Herm Edwards) or general manager (Carl Peterson) to Ryan's workout at Boston College in March. Could that mean absolutely nothing? Sure. But it's worth noting. The Chiefs drafted Brodie Croyle in the third round of the '06 draft. He started six games last season and went through the same struggles you'd expect from any young quarterback. The twist here is that Kansas City has reportedly sent defensive end Jared Allen to the Vikings in exchange for Minnesota's first-round pick (17th overall) and other picks. So the Chiefs have several options at No. 5, but a pass-rusher is certainly a possibility, considering that Allen led the league with 15.5 sacks last season.
3. The Jets pass on Ryan at No. 6. Is it just me or does it seem like an article surface everyday with a new player that the Jets reportedly like? SI.com's King wrote yesterday: "The Jets love Matt Ryan. If I were Kellen Clemens, that would be a worrisome thing." Meanwhile, Rich Cimini of the New York Daily News says the Jets could trade up to grab Arkansas running back Darren McFadden. "I feel like if I'm there at No. 6, they're going to take me," McFadden told the Daily News. As for quarterback, the Jets used a second-round pick on Kellen Clemens in 2006 and also still have 31-year-old Chad Pennington. Of course, there was this rumor on JetsConfidential.com that New York could deal Pennington -- possibly to the Ravens -- if it took Ryan.
4. No one trades up to get Ryan. This could really come into play if the Falcons pass on him at No. 3. Could Atlanta, which has three second-round picks, make a splash and trade back into the top seven to get Ryan? Could a team further down in the first round like the Panthers move up to get him?
So there you have it. That's what would need to happen for Ryan to be available at No. 8.
Meanwhile, if you missed my previous draft rumor posts in the past 48 hours, click here and here. For all the draft profiles I've been putting together since the end of January, click here. And check out a couple of stories from today's Sun: A look at where NFL draft experts come from and who are the best by Childs Walker and Ken Murray's article on the deceit and trickery that's involved with the draft process.
Finally, don't forget about our draft profile photo gallery.
Posted by Sheil Kapadia on April 23, 2008 1:16 PM | Permalink
| QUOTE (Iowahorse @ Apr 23 2008, 12:08 PM) |
| Could Atlanta, which has three second-round picks, make a splash and trade back into the top seven to get Ryan? |
NO!!! That would cost WAY too much. It would cost about as much as all 3 of our 2nd round picks... No Thanks!
3 2nd round picks >>> Matt Ryan
No, he wont make it past 3.