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Getting Picky About the NFL Draft

Posted: Wed April 15, 1998
Peter King's NFL Mailbag

The most exciting time of the offseason is at hand, and SI's football guru returns to answer your questions.

What is the status of the Sean Gilbert trade?
—Dave Bristol, Wilmington, N.C.

I talked to Washington coach Norv Turner Wednesday, and he told me in no uncertain terms that Carolina has to include its first-round pick in any trade package for Gilbert. I think the Panthers, who are holding out for a lesser package of picks, will have to give up the first-rounder. Carolina has little choice. By not getting this done before the draft, the Panthers risk paying higher compensation in 1999 draft terms or Washington killing the deal entirely. I see this getting done by midnight Friday, the night before the draft.

Given the fact the Patriots are not in a rebuilding mode, does it make sense for them to trade up for better picks?
—Len Berkowitz, North Easton, Mass.

Len, it makes sense for the Patriots to do two things in this draft—get a very good corner and a cornerstone running back. I don't think they'll trade up to get Michigan cornerback Charles Woodson, nor do I think they'll trade up to get Penn State running back Curtis Enis. If I were them, I'd trade up with Dallas at No. 8 and try to get Florida's Fred Taylor. When was the last time you saw a 230-pound running back who could run a legitimate 4.35 40—on grass?

Looking at the big picture, if I'm Bobby Grier on draft day, I don't pay a ransom for anyone. With the 1998 and '99 drafts, New England is in the unique position of being able to provide a talent base for the franchise for the next decade. The Pats have 10 picks in the first three rounds of the next two drafts, and if fewer than six of those picks make an impact, then Grier has failed to take advantage of hitting the lottery with all of the Jets draft choices.


Do you think that the Bears would be best served to pass on Randy Moss, just for the reason that they don't have a quality QB to keep both he and Curtis Conway happy?
—Jeremy Furniss, Frankfort, Ohio

I don't think there's any way the Bears take Moss, nor should they. This is not a throwing team. They don't have a strong-armed quarterback, and who knows how long Erik Kramer's going to be there anyway. I like what I think they're going to do: take the best offer they can get for the fifth pick Saturday, either from St. Louis or Jacksonville, then move down and get a player who can serve as the nucleus for their defense.