Patriots, Jets tried to beat Vikings to Harvin

Judge: Vikings get more explosive with Harvin

The Minnesota Vikings weren't the only team interested in Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin. The New York Jets and New England Patriots were, too, with the Jets so eager they offered Philadelphia an attractive package of draft picks to move to the Eagles' 21st position -- one spot ahead of Minnesota.

As we know now, the Eagles didn't bite.

Instead, they moved up two spots to draft wide receiver Jeremy Maclin at the 19th spot. But that was only after they were approached by the Jets with an offer of four draft picks, including two in 2010. According to someone with knowledge of the situation, one of those was "a high first-day pick," and the other was a high second-day choice -- presumably a third or fourth rounder.

"The Jets were pretty aggressive," the source said.

The question, of course, was whom the Jets were interested in acquiring. When I asked if it was Harvin, a league source said, "that's the player I think they wanted. In fact, that's who I know it was." The Jets had only three draft picks last weekend, using one on quarterback Mark Sanchez but none on a wide receiver. The club has one quality wide receiver -- last year's leading pass-catcher Jerricho Cotchery -- though tight end Dustin Keller has the sure hands of a wide receiver.

Laveranues Coles, who had one fewer catch (70) last season than Cotchery, signed as an unrestricted free agent with Cincinnati.

According to one source close to Harvin, New England worked him out before the draft and was interested in acquiring him. In fact, said the source, Harvin's understanding was that the Patriots were so interested in him with the 23rd pick they told him to stay quiet about the workout. With Harvin off the board, the Patriots traded out of the 23rd spot and moved into the second round where they had four choices.