Lion or lamb

Millen could play the draft either way

I'm not sure this is a situation Matt Millen relishes, being the linchpin of the NFL draft. But it's a position the Lions' second-year president is in, now that Houston has spoiled the worst-kept secret in football by committing to Fresno State quarterback David Carr as the top pick while Carolina seems semi-solid on North Carolina pass-rusher Julius Peppers at No. 2.

The most likely move for Detroit on April 20? Sit right at No. 3 and take Texas cornerback Quentin Jammer .

This much we know about the Lions right now: They absolutely love Oklahoma safety Roy Williams but don't have a crying need for him after signing safety help in Corey Harris, Lamar Campbell and Brian Walker in the last month. They really like Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington -- coach Marty Mornhinweg thinks he'd be a great match for the West Coast offense -- but seem willing to gamble that Mike McMahon , their fifth-rounder last spring is their quarterback of the future. (McMahon's a little offbeat; he shaves off all his body hair.) And they'd like to find a trading partner who could give them some real juice for the third overall pick.

Obviously, Jammer and Harrington are players the rest of the league might want. San Diego, at five, and Dallas, at six, might be candidates to make a deal for Jammer because both organizations really like him and each thinks he might be the only guy in this draft who could step in Opening Day and be an impact player in his first year. Jammer is a hole-free player. I watched him work out for the Cowboys the other day and was struck by his amazing comeback speed and his size. When you first see his upper body, you think: Might this guy be an outside linebacker? He's got 4.38-second speed in the 40-yard dash and hits like a strong safety. Might the Chargers or Cowboys trade up for Jammer? Could happen, though I doubt it. The price of moving up has become ransom-like in recent years.

As for Harrington, there's a strange scenario in place. Look at the teams with relatively high draft positions. No. 4 Buffalo might make a play for Harrington, though it's more likely they'll hold out for Drew Bledsoe and use the fourth overall pick on a need position. The next bunch of teams, in order, aren't in need of a quarterback -- San Diego (took Drew Brees last year), Dallas ( Jerry Jones seems to be having a love affair with Quincy Carter), Minnesota ( Daunte Culpepper is solid, obviously), Kansas City ( Dick Vermeil's not giving up on Trent Green), and Jacksonville ( Mark Brunell is the only hero left there). Then we come to Cincinnati. While trying to find the next Boomer Esiason, the Bengals have gone through David Klingler, Jeff Blake, Scott Mitchell, Akili Smith and Jon Kitna. None have come close. Moving up from No. 10 to No. 3 is a big jump. But would Cincinnati's second- (41st overall) and fourth-round (109th) picks be enough to get the job done? That would give the Lions three picks in the top 41 and quite possibly allow them to pick the second-best corner in the draft, Miami's Phillip Buchanon,at No. 10.

Harrington would be worth that to the Bengals. The question is, would the dropoff from Jammer to Buchanon be worth it to Detroit? The Lions had a porous secondary last year. They picked up Todd Lyght in free agency to be a nickel corner, and he ended up being their best guy back there. They need to add two competitive corners to the duo of Lyght and Terry Fair .

It might be exciting to see Millen wheel and deal on draft day. He's already talked to Oakland's Al Davis about trading picks, but that's unlikely because the Raiders' two picks are low in the first round. My hunch is that Millen sits where he is, takes Jammer and puts him on formidable NFC Central wideouts Randy Moss, Terry Glenn and Marty Booker next year. That way Millen will sleep easier the night before every game.

Sports Illustrated senior writer Peter King covers the NFL beat for the magazine and is a regular contributor to CNNSI.com. Check out his Monday Morning Quarterback column every -- and you should see this coming -- Monday morning.

 

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