With those trade talks heating up, a new team has thrown their first-rounder on the trading block. The Detroit Lions are said to be in discussions to move their pick — second overall.

Jason La Canfora of NFL.com said today that the Lions are “shopping the second-overall pick, already in contact with several other teams.”

This could be a good move for the Lions who are believed to be interested in an offensive tackle like Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung to become their franchise left tackle and protect last year’s first-overall pick Matthew Stafford for many years to com. Okung would be considered a reach at No. 2, but if they move out of that slot with a team like the Bills, Redskins or Seahawks — who could look at one of the top two QB’s — Detroit would be in better position to get value with their selection of Okung.

Be sure to stay tuned to NFLMocks.com for the latest draft rumors.

“This is a quarterback-driven league at this point,” Gailey said. “It hasn’t always been that way, but it seems to have become more so in the last decade or so. You have to have a quality player there. It does not have to be a big-name player. You just have to have quality production. That’s the decision you’re trying to make.”

Buffalo has been linked to a particular veteran quarterback — Michael Vick. ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli reported that the team was seriously interested in Vick as a potential starting QB. Per his report, the Bills would likely have to surrender a conditional sixth or seventh-round pick.

Gailey on the other hand says that he has not finished evaluating the current signal-callers on his roster — Ryan Fitzpatrick, Trent Edwards and Brian Brohm.

“The staff got together completely yesterday,” Gailey said. “We’ve been spending the last day and a half going through the evaluation process. I’ve looked at them quite a bit but I want the rest of the offensive staff to look at quarterbacks and let’s get a good evaluation of where we think we are today and where we need to be. . . .  Before we get to the first day of free agency we’ll have a good idea of where we need to be.”

While Vick is surely an option or perhaps another veteran free-agent like Chad Pennington, the Bills could also select Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen if they are available when Buffalo is on the clock at pick No. 9.

Miami needs a tough, physical receiver who will be willing to go over the middle and make a tough catch. They already have vertical threats.

One player who could fill the void on the Dolphins roster is Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall. However, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald indicates that the Dolphins have not shown interest in Marshall and he does not believe they will pursue him.

Instead, the Dolphins target could be current Arizona Cardinals receiver Anquan Boldin. Boldin has been trying to get a new contract for a few years now and he has even requested a trade in the past. This year the 2003 Rookie of the Year has changed his tune.

“I’m going to let it play out,” Boldin has previously told the Miami Herald.

“I can’t do anything one way or the other,” he continued. “If I go to them and request a trade, it don’t matter. I’m under contract for another year. So no matter what I say or do, that won’t change anything. I’m under contract for another year. So whatever happens, it depends on what the Cardinals want to do. I’m not worried about it at all.”

Barry Jackson says that the Dolphins could offer a third-round pick for Boldin.The offer may seem low, but it will be more than enough to open negotiations.

Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter has been expressing his unhappiness with his role during last season. The four-time Pro Bowler has taken his displeasure a step farther when talking to WQAM — a Miami sports radio station — earlier today.

Porter went off on the Doplhins and even named a few teams that he would rather play for next season: the Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers.

“The gloves is off,” Porter said. “I’m not going to let them take my fire out of me and they did that.”

“If I don’t got it no more,” he said, “make it easy and cut me.”

Porter mentioned the Cardinals, Chargers and 49ers because he says he’d like to play for a team that runs a 3-4 defense. He would also like to be closer to his home in Bakersville, California.

“Those would be good fits I feel could use my services,” Porter said.

Dolphins inside linebacker Channing Crowder showed support for Porter, which could land him in some trouble with the Miami coaching staff. After Porter was benched in week 10 he said, “We thought he knocked Tony out,. It was an uncomfortable situation among the team, and I know I’m not the only one.”

It is expected that the Dolphins will part ways with Porter and it will now be interesting to see how Miami’s personnel deals with Crowder and his comments. However, one thing is certain. The Dolphins will be looking to add depth and talent to their linebacking corp this offseason.

Vick’s stint with the Philadelphia Eagles was unimpressive — 86 yards passing , 95 yards rushing and three total touchdowns in ‘09. Now that the season has come to an end, many are speculating what Vick’s future holds. It is possible that he could return to Philadelphia, but the Eagles have options.

Rumors have pointed to the St. Louis Rams as one team highly interested in Michael Vick’s services. The team could use depth at the position. Current starter Marc Bulger is often injured and his skill-set is on the decline.

The Buffalo Bills are another team that jumped into the news as serious contenders for Vick. Sources have informed ESPN’s Len Pasquarelli that the Buffalo is seriously considering Vick as their potential starting quarterback in 2010.

According to the report:

New coach Chan Gailey likes mobile quarterbacks, and the Bills can’t enter 2010 with Trent Edwards as their starter. The Bills would likely only have to give up a conditional sixth- or seventh-round pick to land Vick.

Acquiring Vick would likely put the Bills out of the running for one of the top quarterbacks in this draft class and allow them to focus on finding a replacement along the offensive line for left tackle Jason Peters.

Draft order is based off of current records and strength of schedule.

Pick	Team	Player Selected	Player’s Position	Player’s School	Analysis
1.		Ndamukong Suh	Defensive Tackle	Nebraska	The Rams added the likes of Adam Carriker and Chris Long along the defensive line in recent years. By adding Suh, the best player in the draft, St. Louis adds quality depth to their d-line and Carriker could bump out to left end.
2.		Russell Okung	Offensive Tackle	Oklahoma State	Detroit selected their quarterback of the future in the ‘09 Draft, so it only makes sense to select a guy to protect him. Okung is an athletic, well-rounded offensive tackle who can secure the left tackle position. With Okung and Cherilus, the Lions have their bookends for 10+ years.
3.		Gerald McCoy	Defensive Tackle	Oklahoma	In what may be a surprise to some, the Bucs pass on top safety Eric Berry in favor of bolstering the defensive line. Many sources close to the Buccaneers organization have indicated that the team is looking very closely at the top two defensive tackles, McCoy and Suh. With Suh off the board, McCoy becomes the pick
4.		Jimmy Clausen	Quarterback	Notre Dame	The Cleveland Browns won’t be able to do anything in the AFC North until they get a reliable offense and that starts at quarterback. Cleveland goes back to Notre Dame and grabs yet another Golden Domer in hopes of turning around the franchises future.
5.		Eric Berry	Safety	Tennessee	Kansas City would be ecstatic is Eric Berry fell to them at number five. Berry has drawn comparisons to Ravens safety Ed Reed and he would be a huge, and welcomed, upgrade in the Chiefs secondary.
6.		Sam Bradford	Quarterback	Oklahoma	It has been clear for a while now that Jason Campbell’s future is not in Washington. The organization is a mess and it appears as if Mike Shanahan will be taking over as head coach next season. Look for Shanahan to grab his quarterback in the first-round, whether it be Clausen or Bradford.
7.		Bruce Campbell	Offensive Tackle	Maryland	Campbell will become the replacement for long-time left tackle Walter Jones. While the Seahawks would prefer to land Russell Okung, Campbell is an excellent consolation prize. At 6′7″, 310, Campbell has the size you want in a tackle and he is still growing. He should help open things up in the Seahawks running game.
8.	(CHI)	Rolando McClain	Inside Linebacker	Alabama	McClain is a perfect fit for inside linebacker in the 3-4 defense. He has an intriguing size/speed ratio and McClain is never afraid to lay a devastating hit. He has drawn comparisons to All-Pro linebacker Ray Lewis.
9.		Dez Bryant	Wide Receiver	Oklahoma State	Buffalo is really looking to add a left tackle with their first pick, but with both Okung and Campbell gone in this scenario they must look elsewhere. Bryant adds a physical receiver to the mix and he could replace Terrell Owens if T.O. moves on in the offseason. Bryant would be a perfect compliment to the Bills speedster Lee Evans.
10.		Joe Haden	Cornerback	Florida	Joe Haden is the only premier corner in this draft. Partner him with Nnamdi Asomugha and the Raiders could have one of the best cornerback duos within a few years (assuming Asomugha stays). Oakland’s pass defense has been an issue, so don’t be surprised when they acknowledge that with this selection. Of course, this is Al Davis we are talking about, so who knows.
11.		Trent Williams	Offensive Tackle	Oklahoma	Alex Smith has done a serviceable job behind center, but to fully reach his potential he is going to need some more protection. Williams is a versatile guy who can play any position along the line which increases his value. The offense needs to focuse on giving the rock to Frank Gore more, so this pick makes the most sense.
12.	(CAR)	Taylor Mays	Safety	USC	San Francisco needs any help they can get in the secondary. Look for them to add the best defensive back available with one of their two first-round picks. It ends up being Taylor Mays in this mock. Mays runs like a corner and hits like a linebacker. He will remind 49er fans of Ronnie Lott.
13.		Earl Thomas	Safety	Texas	When Troy Polamalu was injured, everything seemed to fall apart for the Steelers’ defense. Ryan Clark is also a free agent this offseason, so the team will need to add some depth. Thomas has great cover skills and he will be able to play center field and allow Troy Polamalu to do his thing.
14.		Tim Tebow	Quarterback	Florida	Rumor after rumor points to Tebow winding up in Jacksonville. The team needs to find any possible way to put fans in the seats or else the team could end up in Los Angeles or London. Tebow will be a project QB in the NFL, but he can be brought in during special situations and spark the offense.
15.		Derrick Morgan	Defensive End	Georgia Tech	Jamaal Anderson has been a bust for Atlanta and the team needs to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Hometown boy Derrick Morgan is a top ten talent, and the Falcons would be happy to see him available at 15.
16.		C.J. Spiller	Running Back	Clemson	With their targets off the board, Houston adds some running back depth and an explosive runner in Spiller. He is a home run threat and could be a dynamic weapon for this offense.

It is closing in on draft season, and the 2000’s are coming to an end. This seems like a perfect time to put together a list that highlights the 10 biggest busts of the decade.

There is no science to determining what makes a bust, but to make this list I considered the level of hype a player had coming into the draft and then the level of failure said player had.

It was hard to narrow down a list to just ten. Busts like Courtney Brown and Joey Harrington failed to make the list, but they were strongly considered.

So without further introduction, enjoy the list and hope that your team’s general manager can recognize talent better than the men who made the follow selections:

10. Vernon Gholston – Selected 6th overall by the New York Jets in 2008

It may be unfair to list a player who is only in his second season as one of the biggest busts of the decade, but Vernon Gholston is a special case. People everywhere fell in love with Gholston after he blew up at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Gholston put up ridiculous numbers and had the scouts drooling. He was also one of only two people to record a sack against former Michigan OT Jake Long during his collegiate career.

With all the athleticism, Gholston seemed to be a perfect fit at outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Gholston has yet to make any serious contributions though. His largest contribution to the team is keeping the bench warm.

In his two years, Gholston has totaled a whopping 24 tackles and he has yet to record a sack.

9. David Carr – Selected 1st overall by the Houston Texans in 2002

David Carr was the first selection in 2002 and he was the first draft pick in the Texan’s team history. Carr made a splash during his collegiate career when he led his Freson State Bulldogs to a 11-3 record and the team climbed to as high as 8th overall in the polls.

Carr won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm award after his senior year and during his career he threw for 70 touchdowns and only 23 interceptions. Carr even had his number retired at Fresno State.

During his pro career, Carr never led the Texans to a winning season in his five years with the team. Carr was released and later signed with the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants as a back-up.
Carr has only 65 touchdowns in his 8 year career. He has thrown more interceptions (70).

8. Mike Williams – Selected 10th overall by the Detroit Lions in 2005

Williams was an excellent wideout at the University of Southern California where he received All Pac-10 honors twice, and was a Biletnikoff Award finalist in 2003. The receiver only played two seasons at the school and totaled 30 touchdowns.

Williams attempted to enter for the 2004 NFL Draft, but the Supreme Court ruled him ineligible. Since paperwork was filed and an agent was hired, Williams was also ineligible to return to USC.

For some reason that is not known, Williams was still drafted 10th overall by the Lions after sitting out an entire season.

After being a first round pick, Williams started only four games his rookie season. In those four games he caught 29 balls for 350 yards and 1 touchdown. Williams only totaled 15 more catches in his career following his rookie season.

7. Adam “Pacman” Jones – Selected 6th overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2005

Adam Jones makes this list for reasons not just associated with football. Jones appeared to have a promising future in the NFL. He was a sensational kick returner and was in the process of becoming a top tier corner in the league.

Jones then had numerous off the field incidents that resulted in him being suspended for the entire 2007 season. He was eventually traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a fourth-round pick the following year and Jones was once again suspended for 4 games. In his return to the field, he suffered a season-ending neck injury.

Jones was cut by Dallas following the 2008 season and he has not found any work since.

6. Troy Williamson – Selected 7th overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 2005

Troy Williamson was immediately thrown into a tough situation. The Vikings were looking to replace Randy Moss and they selected him with their first pick in ‘05.

Williamson was often a league leader in drops, and he has yet to have more than two touchdown receptions in the same season in his 5 year career.

Williamson blamed poor eye sight for his troubles, but even after correcting his vision he was just awful. He now plays for the Jacksonville Jaguars after being traded for a 6th-round pick in 2008.

For the Final Five Continue…

I believe we are about to have some great examples of both in the NFL.

After one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks of all-time went down with a knee injury and former USC backup and New England’s forgotten backup quarterback Matt Cassel came in the question has appeared again. How could New England’s backup QB have been a backup quarterback in college?

If you haven’t heard Cassel’s story by now it’s very interesting. He played behind two Heisman Trophy winners at Southern California; riding the bench as both Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart won college football’s biggest individual honor before his eyes.

Four years ago the Patriots drafted Cassel in the seventh round, a pick that went relatively unnoticed until now because Brady has started every single game since the Drew Bledsoe injury that opened the door to the “Tuck” rule, Adam Vinateri’s brilliance, and three Super Bowl titles for the Patriots.

So will sitting on the bench help him?

He kind of reminds me of Tony Romo. Romo is one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks and he sat for years on the bench while Drew Bledsoe led the immoble Dallas offense.  (It’s amazing how much Bledsoe is still affecting all this).

Meanwhile in Atlanta Matt Ryan stepped right in after being drafted #3 overall in the NFL Draft. His first pass was everything the Falcons could’ve ever hoped for, a touchdown pass to Michael Jenkins. Meanwhile tonight on Monday night football four young quarterbacks will all play.

Is it better to sit your young quarterbacks (Aaron Rodgers, Jay Cutler) or play them right away (JaMarcus Russell, Tavaris Jackson)? Both Jackson and Russell have had time to learn their offense but a lot less time than anyone first thought they would before they stepped in.

So will sitting benefit Cassel? I personally believe it will because he’s learned from the best of all-time.

A Quick NFL Draft Point:

Patriots did this the right way: This is important to me. New England drafted Cassel and groomed him to become the player he is today. Who knows how good he is but we do know that he is ready. Few teams actually do this the right way but New England did and that will benefit them for the rest of the year. I’m not saying Cassel will lead them on a Brady like Super Bowl run but I am saying that if anyone can lead New England to the playoffs then Cassel is probably the most prepared to do so.

• Buffalo Bills
• Miami Dolphins
• New England Patriots
• New York Jets

AFC NORTH

• Baltimore Ravens
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Cleveland Browns
• Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC SOUTH

• Houston Texans
• Indianapolis Colts
• Jacksonville Jaguars
  
• Tennessee Titans
  

AFC WEST

• Denver Broncos
  
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Oakland Raiders
• San Diego Chargers