Ramsey for Abraham

[amorentz]

Profootballtalk.com is reporting a story from JetsTV that Abraham has been traded to the Broncos for the #29 pick...

"ABRAHAM TRADED TO BRONCOS?

A.J. Vaynerchuck of JetsTV.com reports that the New York Jets have struck a deal to ship defensive end John Abraham to the Broncos in exchange for a first-round pick.

We're in the process of trying to confirm the report.

The Broncos hold the 22nd and 29th picks in round one. Vaynerchuk believes that the 29th pick is being sent to New York.

Our guess is that the Jets might then try to dangle the two first-round picks in an effort to jump up even higher in the draft, possibly as high as the No. 1 overall spot on the board. The Texans could be tempted to make a deal, since it would enable them to snag a guy like tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson at No. 4, giving them another first-rounder later in the day.

NFL teams use a chart that applies point values to draft picks for trade purposes. Under the standard draft pick valuation chart, a No. 4 and a No. 29 wouldn't be enough to justify a trade up to No. 1, and the Jets would have to throw in another pick or two, if they indeed intend to make a run at the top spot.

The Jets slapped the franchise tag on Abraham a week ago, and Abraham has made clear his desire to get out of New York. The Jets have been shopping him for the past few days.

If the report is true, the Broncos' decision to cut on Wednesday defensive lineman Trevor Pryce, running back Mike Anderson, and tight end Jeb Putzier makes plenty of sense. The Broncos needed to clear cap room in order to absorb the new deal that Abraham undoubtedly will sign with the Jets, after putting his John Hancock on the franchise tag. The Jets then would trade the new contract to Denver.

To avoid a cap hit for the Jets, the deal undoubtedly will include not a signing bonus but an option bonus payment due within a few days after the trade is consummated, putting the entire responsibility for his cap number in 2006 and beyond (if there's a cap) on the Broncos. "