Will Crabtree injury alter early tackle market?

Discussion in 'NFL Draft' started by NewsGrabber, Feb 21, 2009.

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  1. NewsGrabber

    NewsGrabber Guest

    <em>Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky</em> <p>INDIANAPOLIS -- <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=24682">Michael Crabtree</a>'s <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft09/news/story?id=3923924" target="_blank">foot injury</a> is expected to mean he'll slide on draft day. If he's still on the board at No. 8, could he be in play for the <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/clubhouse?team=jac">Jacksonville Jaguars</a>, a team that's been in need of a big-play wide receiver since the end of the Jimmy Smith era?</p> <p>I certainly suspect not. Last year's "big" receiver addition, free agent Jerry Porter, was dealing with a hamstring injury as he tried to get off the ground for the Jags and it never happened for him as he quickly fell out of favor.</p> <p>Besides, the Jags appear to be committed to working on their offensive and defensive lines first. The common thinking is they'll get one of the top three offensive tackles with their first pick.</p> <p>The question is, if Crabtree slips to their spot and beyond, does the team that would have taken a healthy Crabtree in front of them now step on their toes by taking a tackle? <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=24096">Eugene Monroe</a>, <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=24049">Jason Smith</a> and <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=24678">Andre Smith</a> look to be potential top 10 picks, with <a href="http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?draftyear=2009&id=23889">Michael Oher</a> in the mix, too.</p> <p>Kansas City at No. 3, Seattle at No. 4, Cincinnati at No. 6 and Oakland at No. 7 have all been presumed to be among Crabtree's suitors. If they move away from him because of concerns about his foot, those are teams that might look to a tackle as an alternative.</p> <p>That could mean the Jaguars are less likely to find the tackle they like best or one they find a value at No. 8.</p>

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