NFL Draft Tidbits

It seems LenDale White and his torn hamstring may not fall out of the first round after all. Five teams (Denver, Dallas, Pittsburgh, Carolina and Indianapolis) are very interested in White, regardless of his injury.

Despite not participating at the combine or at the USC pro day, White's size and production in college (55 TDs, back-to-back thousand yard seasons), appear too good for some teams to let him slip out of the first round.

While I doubt the Broncos and Cowboys will grab White with the 15th and 18th picks respectively, the Panthers, Colts and Steelers are definitely interested in the big 244-pound behemoth in the bottom of the round.

Denver coach Mike Shanahan is looking for someone to replace Mike Anderson, who packed his bags and signed with Baltimore. The Broncos were trying to work a deal with Miami for Ricky Williams, but his impending drug suspension ruined that. Even though White is tempting, the Broncos need a wideout. Rod Smith is 35-years old and Ashley Lelie has been a bust and wants out of the Mile High City. Denver will grab a receiver.

Carolina released Stephen Davis and starter DeShaun Foster gets hurt just walking out on the field, so White is a possibility. The problem is the Panthers lost up and coming linebacker Will Witherspoon to St. Louis and Brandon Short went back to the Giants. Linebacker will be a priority for coach John Fox and the Panthers.

I see White going to Pittsburgh or Indianapolis. The Colts have their sites set on Minnesota's Lawrence Maroney, but he may go to the Jets with their second pick in the first round. Indy needs linebackers and secondary help, but losing Edgerrin James could tip the edge to White. New starter Dominic Rhodes is smaller in stature and the Colts are used to a big power back in the James mold.

The Steelers have some need at receiver (Antwan Randle-El left for Washington) and secondary (Chris Hope to Tennessee), but Bill Cowher loves big backs and with 'The Bus' retired, White may be the guy for them.

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Barring any last minute draft day trades, the first seven picks look set. Houston will select RB Reggie Bush; New Orleans will go with DE Mario Williams; Tennessee will pick QB Matt Leinart; the Jets will grab OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson; Green Bay will take OLB A.J. Hawk; San Francisco will select TE Vernon Davis and Oakland will go with QB Vince Young.

Buffalo selects in the eighth spot and are interested in defensive tackles Broderick Bunkley and Haloti Ngata; tackle Winston Justice and DB Michael Huff. The rest of the first round depends on what the Bills, Marv Levy in particular, decide.

Look for the Corners entire first round mock draft next week.