April 17 11:00 AM): #1 rumors beget more rumors… Along with reports earlier today that Minnesota has talked with San Francisco about acquiring the #1 spot at next weekend’s draft in order to acquire Michigan WR Braylon Edwards, have come a new round of rumors suggesting that if the 49ers did indeed trade out of the top slot, that Southern California QB Matt Leinart would consider entering the supplemental draft this summer. Stories to that effect circulated earlier this year, but were denied by Leinart. Leinart likely would have been the top-rated player in the 2005 draft class, but surprised just about everyone when he opted to return to school for his senior campaign. Days after making his announcement, though, Leinart underwent elbow surgery and is not expected to start throwing again until early next month. Whether there is any truth to the Leinart story, it does seem pretty clear that the Vikings would very much like to move up into the top 2-3 picks in next weekend’s draft to get Edwards, arguably the most talented player overall in the 2005 draft. And in order to get a shot at Edwards the Vikings are apparently willing to part with their two current #1 picks, the 7th pick overall acquired from Oakland for Randy Moss earlier this year and their own pick the 18th overall. For now, though, the Vikings are denying anything is afoot; director of college scouting Scott Studwell, for example, is being quoted as saying that “the likelihood of us trading up is probably very remote.” Studwell added, though, “but never say never”. Again, stay tuned.
Trojan looking at supp draft… No it’s not QB Matt Leinart quite yet, but at least one Southern California player has talked to the NFL about entering a supplemental draft later this year. Junior DT Manuel White reportedly asked the league about the summer draft as he is currently academically ineligible and could be forced to sit out the 2005 season if he can’t get his grades in order. The 6-6, 290-pound White had been expected to fill part of the void created when former Trojan DTs Shaun Cody and Mike Patterson, both of whom are expected to be early picks at next weekend’s draft, graduated. White did describe the supplemental draft as a ‘last resort’ as h could also transfer to a lower level school, but it remains an option. White, in fact, is one of a handful of key USC players facing academic difficulties. RB LenDale White, DE Frostee Rucker and TE Dominique Byrd are all also currently academically ineligible and must pass summer school courses to be able to play next fall.
