Preparing for the NFL Draft

Even with the NHL and NBA playoffs in full swing, it just feels right to talk football right now, especially with NFL draft taking place this weekend. Sure the Draft is too long, it encompasses nearly two full days, and by the end I can't help but want to pummel self-proclaimed draft guru Mel Kiper Jr., much like Dick Vitale during the NCAA basketball season. \nBut in all reality, the draft is a fun transition for college athletes to the pro ranks and allows NFL junkies the opportunity to hope their new star will lead them to the promised land next season.\nThe Cincinnati Bengals once again have the first pick in the draft and since no one has been willing to trade up, the Bengals will take USC quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer with the top pick. While Palmer is an outstanding player, he is really not what the Bengals need right now. The Bengals have far too many needs to fill in one draft, and although they do need a franchise quarterback, Palmer will be beaten to a pulp with the weak offensive line he will have in front of him.\nSome sort of controversy always seems to stem up around the draft and this year is no exception as wide receiver Charles Rogers had a positive drug test result nearly two weeks ago at a pre-draft workout. Rogers failed the drug test due to diluted urine, which he claims was the result of dehydration and consuming exorbitant amounts of water in preparation for his workouts the following day. The Michigan State standout, who up until the test was a sure lock to get drafted No. 2 overall and stay at home with the Detroit Lions, is now in limbo.\nNot to say that any positive drug test result can put you in good company, the last two high profile picks to enter the draft with drug lingering questions were Minnesota Viking receiver Randy Moss and Tampa Bay Buccaneer lineman Warren Sapp, and I'd say they are doing just fine with their careers. Questions about their off-the-field problems caused Moss and Sapp to drop in the draft, and while Rogers may feel some ill-effects from the test, I'd be surprised to see the Lions pass up on the home-state prodigy.\nMore interesting than where Rogers will go is going to be the tracking of running back Willis McGahee. McGahee rushed for 1,753 yards and 28 TDs last year at Miami (Fla.) before blowing out his left knee in Miami's National Championship loss to Ohio State. Concerns have loomed as to when McGahee will be able to contribute in the NFL, even though he says he will be ready for next season. Early indications were that teams would likely pass on him until at least the second or third round, but with extremely impressive workouts, he may have moved into the low first round or early second round.\nIf I were an NFL general manager, I would take a shot on McGahee in the first round. Don't be surprised to see a team with few needs elsewhere to pick him up, especially if they have another running back which would allow McGahee to ease into playing in the next few years. Also, GMs around the league have been burnt by letting past questionable stars like Sapp and Moss drop below their original slotted positions in the draft. I would be surprised to see it happen again with McGahee.