Day one of the 2009 NFL Draft is now over and the Jets wasted no time making the first big move of the day when they traded up to the No. 5 spot to grab Mark Sanchez.  I have always said that in the weeks leading up to the draft there are all smokescreens created by teams so other teams cannot determine what players they are really interested in.  Now in this situation we did hear that the Jets were one of the few teams that would make a move for Sanchez but there were more aggressive teams such as the Redskins and Broncos who were expected to make a trade to get him.  I like Sanchez, he comes from a winning program and seems to be a guy that other players would rally behind.  He does however only have16 starts but I look at it this way, Matt Cassel came out of the same program and never started a game in college.  Rex Ryan also came from Baltimore were he saw rookie Joe Flacco lead his team to the AFC championship so he will have no problem letting Sanchez start from day one.

Usually the rule of thumb with a rookie quarterback is that the fans have to be patient for a year or two and wait for him to develop, but in the last couple of years we have seen guys like Flacco and Matt Ryan have immediate success and other young quarterbacks like Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger win Super Bowls so well see how long the Jets and their fans can be patient with Sanchez. Overall I like the move because they didn't really have a solid starter in the first place.

On the other hand, the Giants made news by not making news.  Over the last month there was so much speculation that they would trade for either Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin and the first day of the draft came and went with no such move.  Now that's not to say that they didn't get what they were looking for because they quickly decided on Hakeem Nicks when it was there turn in the first round.  Now I'm not going to sit here and tell you that he was the guy they wanted all along because we just don't know, but what I will say is that he is just the type of player that they were looking to get in Edwards and Boldin.  He is big, physical and may just be the most NFL ready receiver in the draft. Now after today you wouldn't think that Cleveland plans to trade Edwards, but they did select not one but two wide receivers in the second round.  So well see where Mangini goes with this one.

The Giants then used both of their picks in the second round to address other areas of need.  They selected linebacker Clint Sintim from the University of Virginia and expect him to make an immediate this season.  He has started 48 games in a row and has emerged as a very good pass rusher.  The Giants rounded out the day by selecting offensive tackle William Beatty from Uconn.  He is a guy that was projected to go earlier in the day and will provide some backup on the O-line this season.

With the 2009 NFL Draft finally coming this weekend, the two New York teams share a similar need that they will address in the early rounds on Saturday.  Both the Jets and the Giants released their best receivers during this offseason and will be looking for playmakers that can upgrade their offenses.

The Giants may end up getting that receiver before they make their first round selection because it has been rumored for weeks that they have an interest in Braylon Edwards.  He is only 27 and has the downfield presence that the Giants need.  Now it's no secret that Eric Mangini doesn't want him on the team, and he has no intention of resigning with Cleveland after this season, but the Browns would be foolish not to ask for a good return in exchange. I'm guessing it will cost the Giants a first- and a third-round pick, and if they really do want him, they will get him. Jerry Reese is a very aggressive GM much the way that Ernie Accorsi was, and he has no problem being aggressive with trades.  Anquan Boldin remains a possibility here too, and the Cardinals have already said they would want a #1 and #3 in return.

If a trade for Edwards or Boldin does not happen, then look for the Giants to still be aggressive in the first round and move up to get a player that they covet. Possibilities include any of the top receivers -- like Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks or even Jeremy Maclin -- or a linebacker. They will also look to get some depth at offensive line and in the defensive backfield. My guess is that the trade for Edwards will happen if the Browns take Michael Crabtree early in the first round

Unless the Jets end up making a trade for a veteran wide receiver they will take one in the early rounds as well. They have also been mentioned as one of the landing spots for Mark Sanchez, but it would require a trade to move up to get him. Rex Ryan is an aggressive defensive mind, so don't be surprised to see them take some playmakers on that side of the ball.  They also have a need for some depth on the O-line and running back.

Some interesting names that Jet fans should watch for are Chris Wells and Knowshon Moreno.  Thomas Jones had a good season, but the Jets maybe looking for a future starting running back and Wells and Moreno could add some fresh legs to go with Leon Washington. Another interesting possibility for the Jets is Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman who might be there when the Jets are on the clock.

Since the Giants decided to say goodbye to Plaxico Burress there have been many trade rumors about Braylon Edwards coming to New Jersey. I have stated in past blogs that I think it would be a good move for the Giants to acquire Edwards but it would eventually come down to what the Browns are seeking in return. The Giants have many draft picks to work with and they probably are going to make some sort of draft-day move because they do not have room on the roster for all 10 picks. My guess is that if the Giants really do want Edwards the two teams will work out a deal.

The other two receivers who also have been mentioned in rumors are Anquan Boldin and Chad Johnson. As of today, the Cardinals have officially put Boldin on the trading block and are listening to offers. My guess is that his asking price will be high, but it does, however, give the Giants better leverage if they choose to go after Edwards if the Browns do indeed plan to trade him. Who knows, maybe Boldin is the guy that the Giants are targeting all along and Edwards is the smokescreen?

Speaking of smokescreens, I really hope that the Johnson rumors are just that. Why would the Giants want to give themselves another headache when they just ridded themselves of one? I just cannot see Ocho Cinco and General Coughlin co-existing with each other.

Both Boldin and Edwards would be good fits for the Giants and if Jerry Reese really wants one of them, he will make it happen. The Giants are a young, talented team, and both receivers are young and have an upside, so I would not be surprised if the Giants offered multiple picks for either player.

March 31 has come and gone, and the Giants still have no answers on the status of their star wide receiver.

Plaxico Burress' case has been adjourned until June 15 and the Giants will be forced to make a decision soon, because it looks more likely that Burress will not be participating in the 2009 season.

The Giants have made it clear the last couple of weeks that they would indeed welcome Burress back to the team if and when he clears all of his legal hurdles, but the problem is that they know that they can not afford to go into the upcoming season without having a clear cut No. 1 wide receiver. All of the receivers on the Giants roster are young and have a good upside, but none of them can command the double coverage that Burress does. Domenik Hixon is a good receiver and has shown flashes of his physical skills, Steve Smith is a very good third-down possession receiver, Sinorice Moss is quick but inconsistent, David Tyree is coming off an injury and Mario Manningham has talent but is young and unproven. In the next couple of weeks it will be crucial for the Giants to address this situation whether it is through the draft or a trade.

It would be easy for me to say that they should just make a trade for a star wideout like Braylon Edwards or Anquan Boldin, but I don't know what the price would be for either. Boldin has been in contract negotiations with Arizona for two months now and every day the story seems to change about his trade status. We did, however, hear whispers that the Giants inquired about Edwards, but I don't think a move for anyone would be made until we're closer to the draft. The Giants have shown no interest in Torry Holt, or any free agent receiver for that matter, so it will basically come down to a choice between a trade or a high draft pick to fill the position.

I see the Giants using one their first two draft picks on a receiver, but I would only be guessing if I said who it will be, so I'll leave that up to Mel Kiper Jr. and the other draft gurus to debate.  In my opinion, both Boldin and Edwards would be a better option than an unproven draft pick because they are still young and have shown that they can play at a Pro Bowl level. The bottom line is that this is a tough situation for the Giants because Burress is such a hard player to replace and his destiny is out of his own hands.