One down, 261 picks to go

Bengals have signed Palmer as top pick; other teams weigh options in NFL draft

? Matt Millen insists he has five or six players in mind when Detroit makes the second pick in today’s NFL draft.

The Lions’ president acknowledges, however, that he might not be telling the whole truth when he suggests wide receiver Charles Rogers, who has breathtaking talent and local roots, will not be his pick.

“There’s probably a little bit of that in everybody’s speech these days,” Millen said, referring to the deception that goes with draft talk.

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Carson Palmer of Southern California is signed by Cincinnati, which holds the first pick. If the Lions take anyone but Rogers, who was a standout at Michigan State and is likened by some scouts to Randy Moss, it will be a surprise.

The only thing that could change that scenario is a trade that would get the Lions extra picks. After five wins in Millen’s first two seasons at the top, the Lions need all the help they can find.

There was one deal Friday: The New York Jets traded their two first-rounders, Nos. 13 and 22, to Chicago for the Bears’ pick, fourth overall. The Jets said there are four players they can take, but most likely they will take Kentucky defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson or wide receiver Andre Johnson of Miami if he somehow gets by Houston at No. 3.

“Anything can happen,” Jets general manager Terry Bradway said Friday. “There are still trades that can occur at two or three. But whatever happens, there will still be two players at four that will be worth picking at No. 4.”

Detroit is unlikely to deal away the chance to take Rogers, even though he tested positive at the scouting combine for excess water, considered a possible masking agent..

New coach Steve Mariucci, who had Jerry Rice and Terrell Owens at San Francisco, relishes a big target for second-year quarterback Joey Harrington. And at 6-foot-2 with 4.3 speed in the 40-yard dash, Rogers is that — much faster in workouts than either of San Francisco’s great receivers.

“He’ll be one of the fastest players in the league,” Mariucci said, perhaps tipping his hand. “Over and above that, there is something to be said about having a local guy on your football team. … He’s going to be good in the community for this city.”

Likely first-round selections in today's NFL draft, from left, USC quarterback Carson Palmer, Marshall QB Byron Leftwich, Penn State tackle Jimmy Kennedy, Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman, Kentucky defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, Arizona State defensive end Terrell Suggs and Michigan State wide receiver Charles Rogers, pose for a photograph. The players gathered Friday in New York prior to the NFL draft, which takes place today and Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

The draft, which will last two days and cover 262 picks, will be held at Madison Square Garden. And Palmer will be there when commissioner Paul Tagliabue makes Cincinnati’s pick official.

This draft primarily will be about big men. Between 10 and 12 defensive linemen are expected to be taken in the first round, and 30 or more in the two days of the draft.

Quarterbacks are also available — at least three and as many as five could go in the first round and six in the first two.

The Jets-Bears trade was the first deal in what could be a lot of maneuvering. Four teams hold two first-round picks each: Chicago (Nos. 13, 22), New England (Nos. 14, 19), New Orleans (Nos. 17, 18) and Oakland (Nos. 31, 32).

But what will really happen is shrouded in disinformation and misinformation.

When: Today and Sunday.Where: Madison Square Garden, New York.Television: Live telecast starting at 11 this morning on ESPN(Sunflower Broadband Channel 48).

For the last few months, teams have been trying as hard as they can to deceive each other. Even Mariucci’s comments about Rogers’ value playing in Detroit could be interpreted as a bit of draft dodging.

“Nobody is telling the truth,” Chicago defensive coordinator Greg Blache says.

And Ernie Accorsi, general manager of the New York Giants, began his media briefing by saying: “I think the best thing to do since I am not going to offer any information is to try to dodge your questions.”

Despite that, there is a clear consensus top 10 in the hundreds of mock drafts out there.

Palmer, Rogers, Johnson and Roberston go 1-2-3-4. Then come Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman, Arizona State defensive end Terrell Suggs, Penn State defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, Marshall quarterback Byron Leftwich, Utah offensive tackle Jordan Gross and Cal quarterback Kyle Boller.

It could happen that way, but probably won’t.

Disinformation is the rule.