Draft mixes with trades
Several vets dealt during final day
NEW YORK – Time to draft and time to trade … and trade … and trade.
NFL teams were almost as busy dealing veterans as they were making draft picks Saturday. Jason Campbell, LenDale White, Kirk Morrison, Leon Washington and Bryant McFadden all changed teams on the final day of the draft.
With Donovan McNabb now in Washington, Campbell became expendable and was sent to Oakland for a fourth-round pick in 2012. Where that leaves JaMarcus Russell, the top overall pick of 2007 who has struggled with the Raiders, is anyone’s guess.
The Tennessee Titans dealt White to Seattle, reuniting the running back with his college coach, Pete Carroll. Later, the Seahawks acquired another runner, versatile Leon Washington, from the Jets – who also released standout guard Alan Faneca.
Oakland also sent starting middle linebacker Morrison to Jacksonville as the bartering got heavy in Round 4.
“For me, it’s a new beginning. I feel like I was drafted all over again,” Morrison said.
Pittsburgh’s fifth-round deal brought back McFadden, who won a Super Bowl with the Steelers in 2008. Arizona drafted quarterback John Skelton of Fordham with the pick it received in the trade.
The fourth round began with St. Louis further bolstering its anemic offense by taking wide receiver Mardy Gilyard, who once lost his scholarship at Cincinnati and even lived out of his car.
Oakland selected one of the draft’s fastest players, wideout Jacoby Ford of Clemson, with the pick acquired from the Jaguars for Morrison. After drafting Rolando McClain in the first round to take over at middle linebacker, Morrison became expendable despite leading the Raiders in tackles the past four seasons.
“I definitely didn’t see a slip in my play,” Morrison said. “Now I can move to Jacksonville and show what I can do.”
Gilyard was pick No. 99 overall and one of the most high-profile players still available. He should help the Rams on kick returns, too.
In another deal, the Jets moved up to Carolina’s spot to draft USC’s Joe McKnight at No. 112. That freed the way to deal Washington, and New York chose Kentucky fullback John Conner with the pick secured from Seattle.