Steelers starting cornerback Ike Taylor has restructured his contract to create more salary cap space.

In a mock draft conducted by NFL Network analysts Thursday, Georgia QB Matt Stafford was not among the first four picks. Here’s a sneak preview.

In their Thursday morning production meeting, NFL Network’s draft analysts debated the merits of Detroit taking quarterback Matthew Stafford with the top overall pick.

The Washington Redskins began contract extension talks with LB Rocky McIntosh on Thursday morning. McIntosh is due to receive $535,000 in 2009, which is the final year of the contract he signed as a rookie in 2006.

Michael Fabiano will be holding a live chat on Thursday, April 23 at 12 p.m. EST.

The Lions are in negotiations to finalize a contract with Georgia QB Matthew Stafford, who would be the No. 1 overall draft pick Saturday.

General manager Scot McCloughan said seven teams ahead of his 49ers in this weekend’s draft have called and said they have no problem trading down, The Sacramento Bee reports.

The Oakland Press reports that the Lions are “close to agreeing” on a deal with Georgia QB Matthew Stafford as the No. 1 overall pick in this weekend’s draft. According to The Press, Lions president Tom Lewand met with team owner William Clay Ford for final approval today and it would take a “catastrophe” for Detroit not to pick Stafford.

Titans RB Chris Johnson reported to the team’s offseason program Tuesday after earlier indicating that he wanted to work out on his own for a while.

An Internet report surfaced this week that teams were backing away from Ohio State RB Chris “Beanie” Wells because of concern about sesamoid bones — two pea-shaped bones located in the ball of the foot, beneath the big toe joint — in his right foot. Wells missed three games with a toe injury in 2008, but he still rushed for more than 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns.

On my Sirius radio show Tuesday, Wake Forest LB Aaron Curry told me he would do a pre-draft deal with the Lions for less than the $57.5 million ($30 million guaranteed) that Jake Long received from the Dolphins as the No. 1 overall draft pick last year.

Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree would love to play for the Browns, which would give the team at least one receiver who wants to be in Cleveland. But is the feeling mutual?

The Falcons are still open to trading the rights to suspended QB Michael Vick, general manager Thomas Dimitroff told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

USC QB Mark Sanchez, a fast-rising draft prospect pegged to go in the first round Saturday, told the world about his private workout with the Broncos on his Twitter page.

Former Chicago Bears DT William “Refrigerator” Perry is in serious condition at Aiken (S.C.) Regional Medical Center because of the effects of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a hospital spokeswoman told the Chicago Tribune.