Vikings can't find trade partner
By Alex Marvez
Staff Writer
Posted April 22 2005
NEW YORK -- The Minnesota Vikings have admitted interest in moving up in the first round of Saturday's NFL Draft, but a swap with the Dolphins appears unlikely.
During a pre-draft news conference Thursday, Vikings Director of College Scouting Scott Studwell said there were "a couple players" who were enticing enough for Minnesota to consider surrendering its two first-round selections (No. 7 and 18) to acquire an earlier pick. But the Vikings don't expect such a trade to happen after recent talks with the teams holding the top three picks: San Francisco (No. 1), the Dolphins (No. 2) and Cleveland (No. 3).
"I think the likelihood of us doing it is probably remote, but there are some players there that we really covet for our football team," Studwell said.
It's believed Minnesota's desire to trade up stemmed from an interest in University of Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards, but as indicated by a source earlier this month, the Dolphins also appear to have strong interest in Edwards.
Studwell downplayed the importance of finding a rookie replacement for Moss, who was traded to Oakland.
"First of all, you can't fill Randy Moss' shoes," Studwell said. "Randy is a very rare, unique, exceptionally talented football player. For us to expect or even anticipate drafting a player this year that's going to be the next Randy Moss, it's not realistic."
Said Vikings coach Mike Tice: "If that's your goal for us in the draft, I suggest you spend the next two days changing your goals because that's not going to happen."
FOXSports.com has reported that Washington contacted the teams holding the top four picks Wednesday also in hopes of snaring Edwards. The Redskins have their own first-round pick at No. 9 and acquired No. 25 earlier this week from the Broncos, [b]but it appears the Redskins may not be able to offer the kind of attractive package needed to make such a leap.[/b]
How the top of the draft unfolds will likely depend on whether San Francisco is able to reach a contract agreement with Utah quarterback Alex Smith beforehand. If not, Smith would be an attractive target to the Dolphins as either a player or as trade bait.
Elsewhere
CHIEFS: Kansas City agreed to a one-year contract with RB Dee Brown.
GIANTS: QB Eli Manning has gotten his signals crossed with Jeremy Shockey for publicy urging the tight end to attend the team's voluntary offseason workout program. Shockey is working out at his alma mater, the University of Miami, instead. "He just said, `If you've got problems, just come to me,'" Manning said. "It wasn't like I was trying to call him out. ... I told you what I told him, that I'd like him to be here.
JAGUARS: Backup QB David Garrard was signed to a contract extension. ... Jacksonville re-signed restricted free agent LB Akin Ayodele to a tender offer.
LIONS: Detroit signed restricted free agent OT Kyle Kosier to a one-year deal and released OL Matt Joyce.
PATRIOTS: Inside linebacker, offensive line and cornerback would seem to be New England's biggest needs entering this weekend's draft. The Pats have had 10 first- or second-round picks in the last four drafts. Seven start. Of the three who don't, two (injured TE Benjamin Watson and DE Marquise Hill) were rookies in 2004.
RAIDERS: Faced with no first round pick after trading it to Minnesota for WR Randy Moss, Oakland used the second-round pick (47th overall) it got from the Texans for CB Phillip Buchanon, and packaged that, TE Doug Jolley and a pair of sixth round picks (183rd and 185th, respectively) for the Jets' first-round selection (26th overall). Oakland also got a third-round pick from Houston for Buchanon, so coach Norv Turner now has something he can work with on the draft day.
SEAHAWKS: LB Jamie Sharper officially became a member of the Seahawks, signing a five-year, $17.5 million deal that includes a $1.5 million signing bonus. Sharper was released by the Texans on April 1. ... Seattle released LB Anthony Simmons and is expected to do the same with veteran LB Chad Brown. ... Seattle also signed veteran WR Jerome Pathon. ... Seattle has reportedly come to terms with CB Andre Dyson.
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