Palmer

The weirdest part of last week's draft is some of the best choices may not play this fall. First-round quarterbacks Carson Palmer in Cincinnati, Byron Leftwich in Jacksonville, Kyle Boller in Baltimore and Rex Grossman in Chicago and halfbacks Willis McGahee in Buffalo and Larry Johnson in Kansas City were taken more for the 2004 season. Boller has the best chance of playing as a rookie if he can beat out veteran Chris Redman.

Fast out of the gate
Some of the best drafts went to new coaches. Bengals coach Marvin Lewis augmented his $19 million upgrade of the defense with the offensive additions of Palmer, guard Eric Steinbach and wide receiver Kelley Washington. Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio switched to offense in the draft after signing defensive end Hugh Douglas and linebackers Mike Peterson and Keith Mitchell and grabbed Leftwich and guard Vince Manuwai. Cowboys coach Bill Parcells didn't get the size he wanted on defense, but he got a new starting cornerback -- Terence Newman -- a new center -- Al Johnson -- and a new tight end -- Jason Witten.

Signings of the times
Plenty of things are left to be resolved before the start of training camp. Former Saints safety Sammy Knight is still talking to the Dolphins, but other former starting safeties Kwamie Lassiter, Lethon Flowers and Victor Green may have to wait until camp for injuries to give them a chance. Former Browns linebacker Jamir Miller could be the best linebacker available, but his only choice may be re-signing with the Browns as a backup. The Seahawks could re-sign quarterback Jeff George for depth, and former Dolphins backup Ray Lucas is hoping to catch on with the Cowboys. The Dolphins are trying to trade linebacker Derrick Rodgers to either the Cardinals or Saints, and the Cardinals are trying to convince another team to take halfback Thomas Jones in a trade.

Waiting for June 1
The June 1 cap casualty list will be a little smaller this season. Broncos quarterback Brian Griese is the biggest name. The Dolphins have the best chance of signing him. Unless he takes a pay cut, Jaguars tight end Kyle Brady will be gone. The Lions are trying to trim the salary of defensive tackle Luther Elliss, so he might come free. The 49ers are saying goodbye to wide receiver J.J. Stokes. The Giants could cut guard Dusty Zeigler, but they've slowed their efforts to trade halfback Ron Dayne.

QB watch is on in Cleveland
The main quarterback battle to watch is in Cleveland, where Tim Couch and Kelly Holcomb are fighting it out for playing time. And veteran Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell must stay sharp or there is a chance Leftwich's emergence may move up from 2004 to 2003.

John Clayton is a senior writer for ESPN.com.