Ranking the interior defensive linemen in the NFL required me to break the players into four distinct groups just to do justice to the different assignments asked of them in various schemes around the league.

The two-year contract extension that defensive end Kevin Vickerson received from the Denver Broncos last week includes a $1 million signing bonus and is worth $2.375 million per season, NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora reported Tuesday, citing a league source.

There's no prospect who will elicit more discussion in the coming months than Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton of Auburn, who declared his intent to enter the NFL draft on Thursday.

There are certain things in life and football you can control, while others are frustratingly random. In order to find success, teams like the Broncos must forget about injuries woes and play on.

The craze at Broncos training camp surrounds rookie Tim Tebow, but Denver fans need to remember who their starting QB is: It's Kyle Orton, and he has a better grasp of the offense in year.

Here's a list of 16 players who are on the spot to perform, including QB Byron Leftwich, who could bury the Steelers' playoff hopes if he struggles during Ben Roethlisberger's absence.

Draft week is upon us, and here is a final attempt at seeing how things may play out in the first round now that teams have set their draft boards after exhaustive film study and countless debates.

When looking at how things might transpire in the first three rounds of the draft, one has to remember that the new format means there could be more deals, resulting in most interesting draft in years.

Quarterback is not a deep position in this draft, and that is a big reason why a team needing a young option under center -- like the Browns -- could make a move for a player like Jimmy Clausen.

It wasn't long ago that Ndamukong Suh was the consensus top pick in the 2010 draft. But trades and free-agent signings, coupled with the idea that teams will draft for need, could drop Suh considerably.

With proven runners such as Thomas Jones and LaDainian Tomlinson still available, running back remains among the strongest positions in free agency.