It happens every year. Players projected to go high in the NFL right up until the point where Paul Tagliabue says, "Houston is on the clock", will somehow and for whatever reason fall from their projected positions costing that player millions in guaranteed signing bonus money and salary considerations. It's sometimes painful to watch yet one of the most compelling aspects of watching the draft.

Last year's unfortunate victim was Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Two week's before last year's draft, Rodgers was generally considered the favorite to be drafted first overall by the 49ers. That honor went to Utah's Alex Smith who eventually signed a $49 million deal with more than $24 million guaranteed. Over the next three plus hours, as other teams dealt and drafted for need, ESPN would show shots of the befuddled Rodgers he dropped lower and lower.

More drama unfolded half-way through the first round as it was announced that Washington had traded to move up to the 25th spot to guarantee getting Auburn quarterback Jason Campbell who had blown away Skins HC Joe Gibbs in workouts and interviews. Rodgers was no looking at not even being the second quarterback taken in the draft. Rodgers was eventually taken 24th overall by Green Bay as the heir apparent to Bret Favre. As expected, Campbell was taken next by Washington.

Don't get me wrong. We don't have to pass the hat for Aaron Rodgers but the difference in money is huge. Rodgers, after missing four practices in mini-holdout, eventually signed a near identicle deal to that of JP Losman of Buffalo who was a late first-round choice by Buffalo in 2004. Rodgers's deal was a five-years for $7.7 million, $5.4 million guaranteed, with escalators that would increase value of contract to overall $30 million if all performance and roster bonuses were met.

After this week's spate of free agency activity, two quarterbacks who just two weeks ago appeared to be slam dunk Top-10 selections, suddenly find themselves on the outside looking in. That would be Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler and Texas' all-everything Vince Young.

Cutler's stock soared after a monster combine that saw him outbench many defensive linemen and then having the moxie to call out the other QB hopefuls to come outside and throw with him. Nobody took him up on his offer. Cutler was believed to be highly coveted by the Jets and Raiders but the Jets redid Chad Pennington's deal and got Patrick Ramsey from the Redskin's for a pizza and a beer allowing them to address other needs. The Raiders drafted their protypical long ball project last year in Arizona State's Andrew Walther and have also added ex-Saint starter Aaron Brooks to the mix.

After possibly THE greatest Bowl performance of all time, Young was thought to be considered a strong possibility to be taken #1 overall by the Texans. A local product, Young seemed a perfect fit but ... the Texans decided to stay with the present and renewed their commitment to former overall #1 David Carr clearing the way to take USC tailback Reggie Bush. The Saints at #2 signed Drew Brees to a huge deal and will have likely go offensive/defensive line. NC State's "Super" Mario Williams has been mentioned. With the Titan's signing Norm Chow as their new offensive coordinator, USC QB Matt Leinart is a lock to go at number three. How often does your incoming rookie know the system better than your starting all-pro former MVP incumbent starter?

With the Lions signing John Kitna and Josh McCown and the rest of the first round set at QB for the foreseeable future, that leaves the Cardinals in the ten hole and the Ravens at 13 and possibly the Vikings at 17. The Cowboys after signing TO might be looking at someone to apprentcie under Drew Bledsoe for a year or two but with Bill Parcells' still in control, Pokes likely to go offensive line.The rest of the league appears set or committed to their present starters so it's a crap shoot from there on out. I guess that's life in the fickle and big money NFL.

Dennis Macklin is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at http://www.procappers.com/Dennis_Macklin.htm