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By JOHN ERZAR; Times Leader Sports Writer
Sunday, April 24, 1994     Page: 1C QUICK WORDS: SOME EARLY QUESTION
MARKS

Big Daddy and the Big Questions. That basically sums up today’s NFL draft,
which will start at 3:30 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis in New York City.
   
Ohio State defensive lineman Dan Wilkinson, a.k.a. Big Daddy, is the
consensus first pick. Cincinnati will take him if it doesn’t trade the pick.
Arizona and New England both covet Wilkinson and may put together a package
for him.
    After that, the next three picks seem sealed. Quarterbacks Trent Dilfer of
Fresno State and Heath Shuler of Tennessee, and San Diego State running back
Marshall Faulk will likely go two, three and four. It’s anybody’s guess just
which order.
   
Indianapolis, which is now saying it may take Faulk instead of one of the
quarterbacks, could cause a big scramble for one of the quarterbacks if it
does so.
   
If the Colts take Faulk, New England will have many teams wanting its pick.
The Los Angeles Rams, among others, would like to move up to take whichever
quarterback Washington doesn’t. The Redskins, provided they don’t pull the
biggest surprise, will selected either Shuler or Dilfer.
   
While not in the same class of last year’s top two quarterbacks —
Washington State’s Drew Bledsoe who ended up in New England and Notre Dame’s
Rick Mirer who wound up in Seattle — Shuler and Dilfer could go a long way
into making a team a contender.
   
Shuler is more like Mirer, resourceful and able to make the most out of a
situation. Dilfer is like Bledsoe in the sense he played in a pro-type
offense. After those two, there is a dramatic drop in talent. Boston College’s
Glenn Foley is considered the third-best quarterback coming out, and he won’t
go until the second round at the earliest.
   
Running back is deep with Faulk and Northern Illinois’ LeShon Johnson as
the best prospects. Faulk shouldn’t get past Tampa Bay, which has the sixth
pick, but will likely end up a Colt. Johnson is expected to go by pick 15. The
Chicago Bears seem like a good fit.
   
Faulk is truly a franchise player who could turn the Colts around. Johnson
hits the hole extremely quick, but doesn’t have Faulk’s moves.
   
Arizona State’s Mario Bates and Texas A&M’s Greg Hill figure to go by the
20th choice. Bates is coming off a major knee injury, but the Los Angeles
Raiders are reportedly interested. Hill is another big-time performer who
stepped up his game this year.
   
Tennessee’s Charlie Garner and Florida’s solid but unspectacular Errict
Rhett may also go in the first round. Florida State’s William Floyd, an
excellent blocker and runner, is the only fullback expected to be picked in
the opening round.
   
At wide receiver, Colorado’s Charlie Johnson and Southern Cal’s Johnnie
Morton will be the first and second chosen. Johnson is not a burner, but is
very dependable and known for his work ethic. Morton is a little more of a
big-play type.
   
Michigan’s Derrick Alexander, San Diego State’s Darney Scott and Alabama’s
David Palmer are also first-round types.
   
Alexander had a solid career with the Wolverines and doubles as a kick
returner. Scott played in a pro style offense. Palmer, although it’s been
reported is a tad slow, is elusive and a game-breaker. He can also play
running back in a pinch and is an excellent return man.
   
Most of the offensive linemen carry the dreaded “potential” title.
   
Notre Dame guard Aaron Taylor, Auburn tackle Wayne Gandy and California
tackle Todd Steussie appear to have the best chance of starting early in their
NFL careers. The rest have question marks.
   
Georgia tackle Bernard Williams is huge at 6-foot-9 and about 325 pounds,
but he could be a wasted first-round pick. Williams may just be too big, and
that may hamper him against quicker NFL players. He may end up like a couple
of former players his stature — Oklahoma State’s Milton Hardaway and
Maryland’s Ben Jefferson –who were able to dominate on the collegiate level
because of their size alone. Once in the NFL, both players failed miserably.
   
Guards Tre Johnson of Temple and Isaac Davis of Arkansas may also sneak
into round one. Larry Allen, a tackle from Sonoma State in California, is also
highly touted, but played at the Division II level. However, the lineman who
may be the best of all may not even go in round one.
   
California center Eric Mahlum is fast, strong, and has also played guard.
He is a lot like Michigan center Steve Everitt, who was taken in the first
round last year by Cleveland and started every game.
   
After Wilkinson, there are three other defensive linemen who could go in
round one. Notre Dame’s Bryant Young is solid and dependable, and can rush the
passer. Texas A&M’s Dan Adams should go in the top 15 picks because of his
ability to rush the passer. Louisville’s Joe Johnson came out a year early,
and would have been a top pick next year if he stayed in college.
   
Three linebackers should be gone in the top 10 picks.
   
Nebraska’s Trev Alberts turned in an outstanding Orange Bowl, showing the
ability to pressure the passer. Alcorn State’s John Thierry is strong and
fast, and can also put heat on the quarterback. Southern Cal’s Willie McGinest
played defensive end, but projects as an outside linebacker.
   
Picking someone like McGinest is always a risk. Sometimes they can bulk up
like Minnesota’s Chris Doleman and become a dominant lineman. Other times,
they can become excellent linebackers who can rush the passer like New
Orleans’ Renaldo Turnbill.
   
Then there is the risk they will end up like Eric Kumerow, a former No. 1
pick by the Miami Dolphins. He was tried at linebacker and defensive end, and
couldn’t play either position.
   
Cornerbacks Aaron Glenn of Texas A&M and Antonio Langham of Alabama will be
gone early. Glenn ranks slightly higher because of his excellent coverage
skills and his ability as a returner. However, he is small and won’t offer
much in run support. Langham is also great in coverage and can make big plays.
   
Other cornerbacks considered first-round material are North Carolina’s
Dewayne Washington, Kansas State’s Thomas Randolph and Virginia Tech’s Tyrone
Drakeford. Notre Dame’s Jeff Burris is the only safety worthy of first-round
consideration, but will probably go high in the second round.
   
There will be 29 first-round picks. Philadelphia was given a pick at the
end of the round for losing defensive end Reggie White to free agency. Teams
will have 15 minutes to pick in round one, 10 minutes in round two, and five
minutes in rounds three through seven.
   
With all the dealing expected, the first round could be the longest in
history. The second round certainly will be. There are 35 second-round
selections because of compensatory choices added because of free agency
losses.
   
Minnesota, Dallas, the New York Giants, Buffalo and the Los Angeles Rams
will pick 15 through 19 in round two. Those picks were awarded for the loss of
players to free agency. San Diego and Buffalo end round two with compensatory
selections.
   
While the compensatory picks help teams that lost players via free agency,
it hurts others. For example, New Orleans would have normally had the 43rd
pick overall, but that’s now the 49th.