Tonight I’ll be heading over to 49ers Paradise for a draft chat. It will start at 9:30 EST. Everyone here is welcome to come over and join.

- Darren McFadden reportedly scored a 17 on the Wonderlic test. That score isn’t exactly bad or good. Could it have been better, yes. However, it’s not expected to affect his draft stock.

- With the NFL’s Owners Meetings set for this week, we know that the Compensatory picks will be released within the next few days.

- Now that the Draft Preview is done, I’m hoping to update the rankings and mock draft on Wednesday and Thursday and likely into next weekend. I’ve also got a few interviews that I need to schedule and will begin hammering away at those. Just an update on the Draft Preview, I’ll be getting them back tonight and will be shipping them out tomorrow morning.

I’m sorry for the site being down the last two days. The host for the site had to replace their server. We are back up and good to go for the homestretch leading up to draft.

The Draft Preview is officially finished! I put the final touches on the index last night and it is being printed as we speak. I’ll be getting them Monday night and will be shipping them out first thing Tuesday morning. Again, thanks to those that have already pre-ordered a copy.

With the Draft Preview finished, I’m planning on updating the rankings and mock draft within the next week, as well as getting a few more interviews scheduled.

It’s very sad to hear about Newberry lineman Heath Benedict and his death. I personally never had a chance to talk to him at the Senior Bowl or the Combine, however he was a player that I was very high on. In my Draft Preview I have a detailed bio about Benedict and my thoughts on him.

As for news in the draft, here’s the latest:

Bengals beat reporter Chuck Ludwig says he’s “absolutely, positively convinced” that the team will use its 1st Round pick on an offensive tackle. I’m not too sure how convinced I am about this, however I would expect them to take an offensive tackle at some point in the draft. Their defense is so bad that I think that’s where they should go in the 1st Round.

The Lions are “expected” to draft Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey if he’s there with the No. 15 pick, according to MLive.com. The article also mentions that Detroit is looking at Jerod Mayo in the 2nd Round. Two days ago I predicted the Lions would draft Mayo in the 2nd Round in my 7-Round mock draft for the Draft Preview, so I could definitely see it happening. As for Harvey, I think that Cincinnati and Carolina are two landing spots for where he could go, if not to Detroit at #15.

Amidst much media speculation, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones insists he will not trade up for the opportunity to draft running back Darren McFadden with a top five pick. While I love McFadden, I think that this may be a smart move. If anything, why not trade up to #12 with Denver, spend less than you would have to if you moved into the Top 5, and land a running back like Rashard Mendenhall. They would land their stud back along with still being able to keep one of their 1st Round picks, which could go towards a receiver or cornerback.

Speaking of Mendenhall, the Panthers held a private workout for the former Illinois running back yesterday. The reason that I mentioned that Dallas would have to trade up to #12 is because I think that both Carolina and Chicago at #14 Overall would both be very interested in selecting Mendenhall.

Following Glenn Dorsey’s successful workout at the LSU Pro Day on Wednesday, I now think that it’s a two-horse race between him and Michigan’s Jake Long to be the #2 pick in the draft. I’m fairly confident that Chris Long will be the 1st pick, meaning the Rams would have to choose between Dorsey and Long.

Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press brings up an interesting topic today regarding the status of Vikings offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie. Would the Vikings trade McKinnie, who has had a few off-the-field incidents, to the Dolphins in return for defensive end Jason Taylor? Think about this: McKinnie played in college at Miami and I’m guessing he wouldn’t mind going back and playing in the NFL there. The Vikings Vice President of Player Personnel Rick Spielman has ties with Miami from his days back when he was running the Dolphins. The Dolphins desperately need offensive line help and Jason Taylor, while he won’t say it, would like to be traded. It seems like a logical trade in that, with the #17 pick in the Draft, Minnesota could go with Pittsburgh’s Jeff Otah to be their left tackle (I’m assuming Chris Williams is off the board). You have to think that Taylor may be a more attractive option than having Minnesota take Phillip Merling who is coming off of a sports hernia surgery. They could still go with a defensive end in the mid-late rounds, such as taking Eastern Michigan’s Jason Jones in the 3rd Round. This is all speculation, however I wouldn’t be surprised if something like this were to happen.

The 2008 NFL Draft is officially one month away!

LSU’s Pro Day will take place today with several prospects from the National Championship team expected to workout. Scouts will be watching to see how well defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey runs and whether or not he actually is injured. Both Craig Steltz and Early Doucet did not run at the Combine, so I would expect for them to workout today.

26 teams were on hand for the Arkansas Pro Day yesterday. Running Back Darren McFadden reportedly looked good and as NFL.com’s Gil Brandt said, “did a good job of answering questions.”

Hats off to Appalachian State safety Corey Lynch for recording the only short shuttle time of under 4.00 seconds this spring. At his Pro Day yesterday he ran a 3.99 and really improved his draft stock.

The San Francisco 49ers forfeited their 5th Round pick in next month’s NFL Draft on Monday after commissioner Roger Goodell deemed them guilty of tampering with Chicago linebacker Lance Briggs. Goodell also decided the teams will switch picks in the 3rd Round of the April 26-27 draft. Chicago, which had the 12th pick, will get San Francisco’s 7th pick and the 49ers will get Chicago’s choice.

Pittsburgh offensive tackle Jeff Otah was unable to work out at the school’s Pro Day on Monday because of a sprained ankle. He will reportedly work out for NFL teams on April 9th at a separate workout.

Clemson running back James Davis, the top senior running back on my board for 2009, will reportedly be sitting out the rest of spring practice with a shoulder injury. It’s not believed to be serious. Also, Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin, the top junior receiver on my board for 2009, also could miss the rest of spring practice with a heel injury.

Arkansas’ Pro Day will take place today with running back Darren McFadden among the players that will be working out.

Wednesday is going to be a very important day for LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey. His Pro Day, which he is expected to be working out at, is the first time that teams will get a chance to see him run. He’s going to have to prove to all of the coaches and scouts that he is healthy. If he is able to do that, he could shoot as high as #2 Overall to the St. Louis Rams.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie recently worked out at his Pro Day. He had a 37.5 inch vertical jump, 10-foot 11-inch long jump, 4.14 short shuttle, and a 6.63 cone drill. He also ran position drills and was told that it was unnecessary for him to run the 40. Rodgers-Cromartie’s stock has really been on the rise lately and it seems to be looking likely that he could go as high as the Top 15 or even the Top 10.

The Patriots recently sent a high-ranking member of their coaching staff to meet with San Diego quarterback Josh Johnson for a private workout.

Here’s a list of some Wonderlic Scores:

QB’s:

Matt Ryan – 32

Brian Brohm – 32

Joe Flacco – 27

Chad Henne – 22

OT’s:

Chris Williams – 32

Jeff Otah – 28

Sam Baker – 27

Jake Long – 26

Gosder Cherilus – 25

Branden Albert – 23

Ryan Clady – 13

LB’s, S:

Jerod Mayo – 26

Keith Rivers – 16

Kenny Phillips – 16

These are disappointing scores for Ryan Clady, Keith Rivers, and Kenny Phillips. Matt Ryan helped himself with his score.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch beat writer Jim Thomas believes the Rams like Virginia defensive end Chris Long better than anyone else in the draft. Thomas does a great job of providing insight into the Rams draft strategy this year.

Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome “really likes” Troy CB Leodis McKelvin, according to the Baltimore Sun. With New England possibly going with McKelvin at #7, would it make sense that Baltimore would go with Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie?

According to North Carolina defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer is fully recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered at the Senior Bowl. The Vikings, Eagles, Jets, and all have private workouts or visits scheduled with Balmer.

According to the Chicago Sun Times, the Bears are showing a lot of interest in Tulane running back Matt Forte. He could potentially go as high as the 2nd Round.

The Raiders have officially acquired cornerback DeAngelo Hall from the Falcons in exchange for Oakland’s 2008 second-round pick and 2009 fifth-round pick. They also signed him to a seven-year, $70 million contract with $24.5 million guaranteed.

The Cowboys are reportedly close to trading for suspended Titans cornerback Pacman Jones. The Titans would likely receive a late-round choice in return.

The Ravens will reportedly hold a private workout for Louisville quarterback Brian Brohm next month.

On Wednesday, the Patriots put Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston through a private workout. I think that the likelihood of Gholston falling to the Pats at #7 is unlikely, however they still have to do their homework on him.

Along with Matt Ryan, the Dolphins will also be taking a close look at Michigan quarterback Chad Henne. The Dolphins have two 2nd Round picks, so he could likely be an option with one of those picks.

SI.com’s Jim Trotter was told “in passing” by a Raiders employee last year that owner Al Davis is “infatuated” with Darren McFadden. With the amount of money that Oakland has given out on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, it’d make sense that they’d be targeting him.

The Jets are another team that reportedly has its eye on McFadden. The Jets flew a contingent of representatives to Arkansas on Tuesday to meet with McFadden. They are likely just doing their homework in the event that he falls to the #6 pick.

Penn State linebacker Dan Connor really helped himself out at this Pro Day on Tuesday. He reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in 4.63 seconds, recorded a great time of 6.76 seconds in the three-cone drill, had a 35 inch vertical jump, and put up 22 reps on the bench.

The Eagles are reportedly interested in Vanderbilt wide receiver Earl Bennett. I have Bennett going in the Mid-Late 2nd Round.

Texas tight end Jermichael Finley improved his draft stock yesterday when he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.66 seconds. Wide receiver Limas Sweed also improved his stock with his 4.50 40 time and 37.5 inch vertical jump. Notre Dame tight end John Carlson helped his stock by running a 4.72 in the 40 yesterday.

NFL Network’s Adam Schefter reported yesterday that the Rams are going to be taking a close look at LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey. They are expected to meet with him for two days in Mid-April.

Colorado linebacker Jordan Dizon both hurt and helped himself yesterday. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds, however he was only able to put up 12 reps on the bench and he weighed in at just 6-0, 225 lbs. I have Dizon going in the Mid-Late Rounds.

- Virginia Tech running back Branden Ore has been dismissed from the team. The former All-ACC performer could enter the Supplemental Draft this summer.

I just got done talking to one of my sources. Here’s what he had to say:

There is currently talk that Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston could potentially go 1^st Overall to the Dolphins. Gholston had a great private workout with the Dolphins and is a Bill Parcells type of guy. Remember, when Parcells coached the Giants, he had Lawrence Taylor. He reportedly thinks that his next LT could possibly be Gholston. They still really like Chris Long, however. Overall, Gholston has really raised his stock in the last month and is looking like could be off the board within the first two picks, as St. Louis is also very high on him.

While some people are speculating that Nnamdi Asomugha and DeAngelo Hall could potentially be one of the best cornerback duo’s in the league, there are some people that think that Asomugha could ask for a trade. They are reportedly going to pay Hall $70 million over the next 7 years. Asomugha wants to get paid as well and there’s no way that the Raiders can afford both of them at those type of salaries. Some people think that Asomugha won’t sign the tender because he will want to be traded. I’m not saying that this will happen, but there’s no doubt that Asomugha will want to be paid. There’s also talk that Fabian Washington could get traded, which has already been reported.

The Panthers are realistically examining whether they should trade defensive end Julius Peppers. The thinking is that they either have to pay him now or get rid of him now because they aren’t going to be able to afford the large salaries that he’ll command. They want to keep him but they’re far away on negotiations.

Glenn Dorsey’s stock is really dropping right. It’s not a good situation for him with the rumors floating around regarding his injuries. He’s really going to need to have a good workout next Wednesday at the Pro Day.

There are some teams that currently have Georgia Tech running back Tashard Choice high on their boards. Because there were so many junior running backs to enter the draft, he’s been a bit overshadowed in the media. Don’t be surprised if he ends up going as high as the 2^nd Round come April 26^th.

Lastly, unrelated to the inside info, I’m on pace for just over 210 player profiles for the Draft Preview. I’ll be finishing writing next Thursday and will be shipping them out starting April 1st. Thanks!