Friday, April 25, 2003
Lions discussing giving up No. 2 pick to Pats
ESPN.com news services
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While there's no drama surrounding the No. 1 pick of this weekend's NFL draft, that hasn't stopped the intrigue from swirling just beneath it.
The Patriots are in discussions with the Lions regarding a potential trade that would give New England the second overall pick Saturday, sources told ESPN's Ed Werder.
Those sources say the Patriots have offered both their current first-round picks, plus a second-rounder this year for Detroit's pick at No. 2 overall. The Lions have countered, Werder's sources say, by asking for that deal plus a third-round pick in this year's draft.
Whether or not the deal materializes remains a mystery. Earlier Friday, a deal was finalized which saw the Jets trade up for the Bears' No. 4 overall pick. The Jets gave up first-round picks at Nos. 13 and 22, plus a conditional pick.
On Thursday, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reported that while the Lions may indeed be interested in shopping the No. 2 pick, Michigan State receiver Charles Rogers probably remains their guy at that spot.
The Lions have made phone calls to Rogers and the agents for three other players. But to this point the overtures to those three -- Arizona State defensive end Terrell Suggs, Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman, and Miami wide receiver Andre Johnson -- have been all talk and little action.
None of the three had entered into substantive negotiations with the Lions as of late Thursday night. The conclusion of the agents for two of the three? They are likely being used as leverage, to create some insecurity for Rogers, and to nudge him toward a relatively quick decision.
The top pick in this year's draft was signed earlier Thursday when the Bengals reached a deal with Heisman winner Carson Palmer.
Lions discussing giving up No. 2 pick to Pats
ESPN.com news services
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
While there's no drama surrounding the No. 1 pick of this weekend's NFL draft, that hasn't stopped the intrigue from swirling just beneath it.
The Patriots are in discussions with the Lions regarding a potential trade that would give New England the second overall pick Saturday, sources told ESPN's Ed Werder.
Those sources say the Patriots have offered both their current first-round picks, plus a second-rounder this year for Detroit's pick at No. 2 overall. The Lions have countered, Werder's sources say, by asking for that deal plus a third-round pick in this year's draft.
Whether or not the deal materializes remains a mystery. Earlier Friday, a deal was finalized which saw the Jets trade up for the Bears' No. 4 overall pick. The Jets gave up first-round picks at Nos. 13 and 22, plus a conditional pick.
On Thursday, ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli reported that while the Lions may indeed be interested in shopping the No. 2 pick, Michigan State receiver Charles Rogers probably remains their guy at that spot.
The Lions have made phone calls to Rogers and the agents for three other players. But to this point the overtures to those three -- Arizona State defensive end Terrell Suggs, Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman, and Miami wide receiver Andre Johnson -- have been all talk and little action.
None of the three had entered into substantive negotiations with the Lions as of late Thursday night. The conclusion of the agents for two of the three? They are likely being used as leverage, to create some insecurity for Rogers, and to nudge him toward a relatively quick decision.
The top pick in this year's draft was signed earlier Thursday when the Bengals reached a deal with Heisman winner Carson Palmer.
