MOCK NFL DRAFT

After a week of everyone in the National Football League telephoning everyone else, most of the expected raft of trades has happened, but the draft starts at 9 this morning and the day is young. Here’s how it looks, heading into show time:

1 DALLAS: TROY AIKMAN: QB UCLA: They’ve already signed him. Jimmy Johnson thought and thought and thought, but this was the only way to go.

2 GREEN BAY: TONY MANDARICH: OT:: Michigan State: Now he’s being billed, not: just as the greatest line prospect since Anthony Munoz, but by Sports Illustrated as the greatest prospect ever. Just wait till he actually blocks someone.

3 DETROIT: BARRY SANDERS: RB: Oklahoma State: After much resistance, Coach Wayne Fontes worked him out and fell in love with him, which is fortunate because the Lions would have to leave town if they passed on him.

4 KANSAS CITY: DERRICK THOMAS: LB Alabama: Obliterated Cornelius Bennett’s school sack record.

5 ATLANTA: DEION SANDERS: CB Florida State: Cornerback prospect of the decade.

6 TAMPA BAY: TIM WORLEY: RB: Georgia: The way to bet, since Ray (The Kidder) Perkins keeps saying nice things about Broderick Thomas.

7 PITTSBURGH: BRODERICK THOMAS: LB: Nebraska: Steelers wanted Worley but settle for this 248-pounder who runs 4.57.

8 SAN DIEGO: LOUIS OLIVER: S: Florida: Chargers wanted Aikman or any Washington Redskin quarterb:ack in a three-cornered deal with the Falcons, who would have sent Gerald Riggs to Washington, but talks led nowhere. They take the percentage play, this 220-pounder cruncher who reportedly runs the 40 in 4.4.

9 MIAMI: SAMMIE SMITH: RB: Florida State: Don Shula wants a big back to take the heat off Dan Marino.

10 PHOENIX: ERIC HILL: LB: LSU: Anot:her 245-pounder with speed.

11 CHICAGO: TRACE ARMSTRONG: DE: Florida: From Raiders: Bears, dying for line help, decide against top-rated Burt Grossman, who is said to be flaky, has lost weight recently and is--no kidding--the half-brot:her of Margo Adams. They go for a hard-working good ol’ boy in the Dan Hampton mold instead, taking a chance on Trace’s old knee injury.

12 CHICAGO: DONNELL WOOLFORD: CB: Clemson: From Redskins:

13 DENVER: BURT GROSSMAN: DE Pitt: Broncos are so desperate for defensive linemen, they can’t afford to look any flaky gift horses in the mouth. Besides, the top personnel guys say to forget all the talk, this guy can really play.

14 NEW YORK JETS: ANDRE RISON: WR: Michigan State: A steal. Slides this far because everyone is after the few defensive linemen.

15 SEATTLE: BRIAN WILLIAMS: C: Minnesota: From Indianapolis:

A 300-pounder. Seahawks are hurting after failing to protect Blair Bush and losing him.

16 NEW ENGLAND: ERIC METCALF: RB: Texas: Slides because he’s small, but he’ll be great spelling John Stephens behind the big Patriot line.

17 PHOENIX: CLEVELAND GARY: RB: Miami: From Seattle: A big back who can catch.

18 NEW YORK GIANTS: JOE WOLF: G: Boston College: A 280-pounder who can be a tackle.

19 NEW ORLEANS: RALPH NORWOOD: OT: LSU: 20 CLEVELAND: HART LEE DYKES: WR: Oklahoma State: A huge receiver for Bernie Kosar. Cleveland officials said all week they couldn’t believe he’d still be there for them, but here he is.

21 RAMS: BILL HAWKINS: DE: Miami: Smart, disciplined, their type of lineman.

22 INDIANAPOLIS: ANDY HECK: OT: Notre Dame: From Philadelphia 23 HOUSTON: RHONDY WESTON: DT: Florida: 24 PITTSBURGH: ROBERT DRUMMOND: RB: Syracuse: From Minnesota 25 CHICAGO: TOM RICKETTS: OT: Pitt: 26 RAMS: MATT BROCK: DE: Oregon: From Buffalo:

Good athlete who can do all the stunting and looping you’d want.

27 CINCINNATI: DAVID WILLIAMS: OT: Florida: A 295-pounder, more beef for the bulging Bengals.

28 SAN FRANCISCO: JOHN FORD: WR: Virginia: Bill Walsh takes a receiver who can finally take advantage of double teams on Jerry Rice.