ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting Denver All-Pro left tackle Ryan Clady suffered a patella tendon injury in his knee while playing basketball.

Clady

The Denver Post reported Clady had surgery Tuesday and that the tendon was “only 50-percent torn.”



Schefter is reporting that Clady is telling people he will be out three months. If Clady is out for just three months that means both he and Denver have dodged a bullet. Patella tendons that are completely torn usually take six to nine months to heal, ESPN’s Stephania Bell said Wednesday.



The left tackle is arguably Denver’s best player. Using Clady’s timeline, he should be ready to come back before the start of the regular season. Denver opens the regular season Sept. 12 at Jacksonville.



If Denver pursues former Dallas left tackle Flozell Adams, the best available tackle in a weak class, that would mean the team could be concerned about Clady’s ability to be ready for the regular season. At this point, that may be unnecessary.



Still, I’m sure Denver coach Josh McDaniels will let Clady know that he is displeased with his star player hitting the hard court during the offseason.



This could have been a disastrous blow for Denver had the injury been more serious. Denver’s offense is going to be challenged enough in 2010. It can’t afford playing without Clady, who became an instant star after Denver took him at No. 12 in the 2008 draft.

Report cards immediately following the 2005 NFL draft — this one and this one should suffice — singled out the Vikings for their excellent work in landing Troy Williamson and Erasmus James.



Twenty of 32 team received lower grades for their 2005 draft classes when Scouts Inc. reevaluated the class in 2008.



I do enjoy reading postdraft report cards. ESPN Insider subscribers can check out a formula-based model listing Seattle and San Francisco as having the best drafts this year. But it’s pretty much impossible to grade fairly without knowing whether, say, Sam Bradford will become a Hall of Famer, solid starter, journeyman or complete bust.



Mel Kiper and Todd McShay acknowledge the uncertainty up front in explaining their grades during a recent ESPN Radio appearance featuring thoughts on the Rams right away and Seattle later.



We’re basically left to evaluate whether teams appeared to fill needs without making unexpected decisions. Some of those unexpected decisions wind up being right, of course. In that 2005 draft, the Patriots raised questions by selecting guard Logan Mankins in the first round. Mankins has become a Pro Bowl regular. Williamson has 87 career catches. James has been out of the league since 2008, finishing with 5.0 career sacks.



Things to keep in mind before ordering Hall of Fame busts for Russell Okung, Anthony Davis, Earl Thomas, Mike Iupati, Dan Williams or any of the other NFC West choices in 2010.



Every NFC West team filled its biggest need in this draft. The Rams drafted a franchise quarterback. The Seahawks drafted a franchise left tackle. The 49ers filled a big void at right tackle. The Cardinals landed a nose tackle. All four teams get high marks for those decisions at this point. Next we’ll find out which ones can play.

ESPN’s Suzy Kolber interviews New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan about their high-profile offseason moves.



“We have no excuses offensively or defensively,” Ryan says. “We think we’re going to be at the top of the league in both those categories. The only thing really that matters at the end of the day is ‘Who’s the Super Bowl champ?’ and we plan on being that this year.”

Quarterback Jason Campbell has confirmed to ESPN.com that he’s been traded to the Oakland Raiders this afternoon. The Redskins will receive a fourth-round pick from the Raiders in the 2012 draft, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Campbell

Campbell told me via phone this afternoon that he and his agent, Joel Segal, had received interest from the Panthers on Friday until they selected Notre Dame’s Jimmy Clausen with the No. 48 overall pick. But Campbell was excited about the prospect of a fresh start after being replaced by Donovan McNabb in Washington.



“I look at this as getting to start over,” said Campbell. “I talked to Mr. [Al] Davis, and he wanted me for two years. He wants me to help their team to a new level.”



When I asked him whether he was assured a starting role, Campbell responded, “I got that feeling. I’m going to work hard to make sure that happens.”



Talks between the Redskins and Raiders heated up Saturday morning and Campbell’s new contract was agreed upon by about noon ET. He’ll make $3.1 million in 2010 and $4.5 million in 2011. And Davis has left the door open to Campbell playing his way into more money in 2011.



“Had I stayed [in Washington], there was no guarantee I was going to be the backup,” said Campbell. “Now I have a chance to go play for a team that really wants me.”



We’ll have more on this trade throughout the afternoon.

As we move into the sixth round, I’m going to step away for a bit and work on our draft wrap-up project that will run later this afternoon.



There still will be a bunch of players coming to the NFC South in the final two rounds, but I’m not going to break each one down individually. For that, we’ll rely on others on the ESPN.com staff and you’ll be able to follow pick-by-pick analysis here.

ESPN’s Michael Smith on the Browns’ plans for the draft.

• ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. says he was as shocked as anyone that Jimmy Clausen didn’t get picked in the first round, but that doesn’t mean his career will be significantly hurt by it.
• ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay says he doesn’t understand the Tim Tebow selection. How does Tebow make the Broncos any better? Plus, McShay shares his favorite picks, as well as the best players still on his board.
• ESPN.com senior NFL analyst John Clayton says he can’t believe Clausen fell out of the first round. Clayton speculates on where he’ll eventually end up and gives his best and worst picks from the first round.
• ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen says a lot of teams stayed true to their identity Thursday night. Plus, the Lions are off to a great start with Ndamukong Suh and Jahvid Best in the first round.
• ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter was surprised by Clausen’s drop out of the first round. Plus, Schefter also says he doesn’t think Osi Umenyiora or Albert Haynesworth will be traded.
• ESPN NFL analyst Mark Schlereth explains why he really likes the Broncos’ pick of Tebow in the first round. Plus, ESPN NFL analyst Trey Wingo says he doesn’t think Tebow can run the wildcat and survive.

ESPN’s Todd McShay reviews the hits and misses of the first round of the NFL draft.

• ESPN NFL draft analyst Todd McShay delivers his future Pro Bowlers from the first round of the NFL draft. McShay picks Gerald McCoy, Eric Berry, Earl Thomas and C.J. Spiller.
• ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. says Ben Roethlisberger is worth a top-10 pick. Kiper also picks the five players from the first round who he thinks will turn into Pro Bowlers: Ndamukong Suh, Gerald McCoy, Eric Berry, Earl Thomas, and C.J. Spiller.
• ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen provides a list of names that could be on the move tonight other than Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. Plus, Mortensen names some impact players in this year’s draft.
• ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter says the Redskins aren’t a lock to take an offensive tackle and Jimmy Clausen could fall to the bottom of the first round. Plus, Schefter thinks the Steelers are serious about trading Ben Roethlisberger.
• ESPN Radio in St. Louis host Bryan Burwell talks about Ben Roethlisberger’s suspension and says the Rams aren’t interested. The team needs a QB who will be available to them from Day 1.
• Former Washington Redskins executive Vinny Cerrato says Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen could go to San Francisco or Seattle. Cerrato also weighs in on the Ben Roethlisberger situation, saying he doesn’t think Roethlisberger will be traded.

Former Clemson running back C.J. Spiller sits down with ESPN’s Jon Gruden.