NFList

Manning is worth more than anyone

By Joel Buchsbaum, Contributing editor
As published in print Sept. 11, 2000

Colts QB Peyton Manning

The question for NFL insiders was: Which NFL player would be worth the most in terms of draft picks a team would offer to acquire him? While Colts QB Peyton Manning was the unanimous first choice, we asked scouts to pick a second and third player as well. All quotes are from these scouts, who requested anonymity.

1. QB Peyton Manning, Colts — "A young, franchise quarterback with no injuries and great intangibles."

2. DE Jevon Kearse, Titans — "Has a chance to develop into the dominant defensive player in the game for the next decade if he does not lose his hunger and does not let fame and fortune go to his head. He could be the next Lawrence Taylor, or he could self-destruct. If the Sports Illustrated article is an indication of how he is spending his life, I would be concerned he is letting who he is go to his head."

3. WR Randy Moss, Vikings — "He can be the greatest receiver ever. Does more with less effort than any player I have ever seen. However, he could also self-destruct."

4. DT Warren Sapp, Buccaneers — "Dominating defensive tackle who can be as good as he wants to be. May be hard to handle, but he is a lot harder for the other guys to handle."

5. OT Jon Ogden, Ravens — "Younger than Tony Boselli and has more athletic ability and healthier knees."

6. QB Kurt Warner, Rams — "You are gambling that last year was not a fluke, but if it wasn’t, he is the next Johnny Unitas."

7. RB Edgerrin James, Colts — "A franchise back who is very young and very healthy."

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