Florida DT Gerard Warren's workout kept him at the head of the defensive class.

I'm told his workout overall was good, not great. Basically, Warren did what he had to do in order to maintain his position as the top defensive player available in the draft. With the Arizona Cardinals, who pick second in the draft, looking to improve along the defensive line (particularly at tackle), Warren figures to be a strong possibility.

Staying on the defensive line, Missouri DE Justin Smith worked out Wednesday as well. He ran an impressive 4.57 in the 40 and came through with a 35-inch vertical jump. Smith figures in the top five overall.

At the OT spot, Florida's Kenyatta Walker is battling Texas' Leonard Davis to see who will be the first selected, more than likely by the Cincinnati Bengals, who pick fourth overall. Walker enjoyed a very good workout for the NFL brass in attendance Wednesday. Walker didn't run but he reportedly looked strong in the drills.

Florida QB Jesse Palmer reportedly looked sharp throughout his workout. He threw the ball extremely well, impressing with his quick release and strong arm. Florida WR John Capel reportedly showed the necessary pass-receiving skills, which was a question the track star had to answer.

After a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, Maryland RB Lamont Jordan turned in a solid performance during his individual workout, running anywhere from 4.39 (with the wind) to 4.42 (against the wind). He also had a 38½-inch vertical jump.

Oregon State DE DeLawrence Grant ran an impressive 4.58 during his individual workout. After checking in at 280 pounds in Indy at the combine, Grant weighed 276 pounds Wednesday. He also had a 40½-inch vertical jump, while doing 25 bench-press reps.

I've been saying all year that wide receiver could shape up as the strongest position in the draft. Well, that's definitely the case, especially in round one. Even with the injury of Michigan's David Terrell, you could see five wideouts off the board by the middle of the first round.

Cleveland, selecting third overall, will likely have to decide between N.C. State WR Koren Robinson and TCU RB LaDainian Tomlinson. The decision has to be based on which player will assist Tim Couch the most in his development. Robinson is set to work out for scouts on Friday, March 23. Clemson WR Rod Gardner is scheduled to work out Thursday, hoping to solidify a position in the mid-to-late first round. With his competitiveness, body control and Cris Carter-type skills, Gardner figures to be a real bargain where he's expected to go. If it weren't for all the depth at wide receiver, Gardner may have been viewed as a potential top-10 choice.

Iowa's Kevin Kasper hasn't been discussed as an early-rounder but could end up in round two or three. After a tremendously productive career with the Hawkeyes, Kasper delivered a spectacular performance during the combine. Not only did he run 4.38 in the 40 at 6 feet and 200 pounds, but he also came through with an eye-catching 44-inch vertical jump.

On the rise along the defensive front is TCU's Aaron Schobel. The sack artist with an incredible motor could figure in the middle of round two. Also on the rise is Nebraska's Kyle Vanden Bosch. His weight is up to 270 but he's maintained his speed and quickness. A high-intensity warrior like Vanden Bosch could be tabbed in the mid-second round.

With all these talented wideouts coming into the NFL, teams will need the corners to match up.

In the secondary, you always see cornerbacks elevated into the first or early second round because of need. With all these talented wideouts coming into the NFL, teams will need the corners to match up. Look for Ohio State's Nate Clements to surface as a first-round possibility. Sure, he was beaten on occasion in the Big Ten by Minnesota junior Ron Johnson and Terrell, but you have to like his physical ability and overall NFL potential. Clements is big (5-foot-11¼, 209), has excellent recovery speed (4.37), and ranks as one of the stronger corners available.

Other players on the rise include Miami (Ohio) T/G Alex Sulfsted, Wisconsin center Casey Rabach, Marshall DE Paul Toviessi, Georgia CB Jamie Henderson, Central Florida CB/FS Anthony Henry and Memphis FS Idrees Bashir.

Free agency affects team needs on a daily basis. You saw it in Seattle where Mike Holmgren has addressed a major weakness along the defensive front by signing John Randle and Chad Eaton. That affects how they approach the first round of the draft. Now, they can think about wide receiver, middle linebacker or cornerback.

The Baltimore Ravens signed RT Leon Searcy but lost center Jeff Mitchell to Carolina. The plan now is to shift guard Mike Flynn to center to fill that void, opening up a hole at guard.

Carolina landed Jeff Mitchell to anchor things up front, yet could still consider a versatile standout like Michigan's Steve Hutchinson with the 11th pick of round one. This would go a long way to solidifying what was a sub-par offensive line for the Panthers.

All of a sudden the New England Patriots are hurting at the defensive tackle spot. Do they go away from a left tackle such as Kenyatta Walker, figuring that Adrian Klemm is up to the task? If that's the case, don't automatically mark down a defensive tackle, since the Pats have needs at running back, wide receiver and tight end as well.

The same is true with the Minnesota Vikings. Yes, they need defense, defense and more defense. But running back is also a critical need as well as left tackle, with the release of veteran Todd Steussie. Meanwhile, with the release of Levon Kirkland and the signing of Jeff Hartings, the Steelers have their heir apparent to Dermontti Dawson and will strongly consider Miami's Dan Morgan with the 16th choice.

Chicago, picking eighth overall, needs a running back but also figures to be in the market for a top-flight wide receiver to work opposite Marcus Robinson. The St. Louis Rams reportedly have an interest in veteran DT Cortez Kennedy, but could still look to team him up with either Richard Seymour or Marcus Stroud, both former Georgia Bulldogs.