Challenge Awaiting Beathard : NFL: Draft will give Charger general manager a chance to restock the team’s talent and live up to his reputation.
Charger General Manager Bobby Beathard, remember, has been called the “Smartest Man in the NFL.”
He had better be.
Anthony Shelton has been penciled in as the Chargers’ starting free safety. Who?
Pick a name out of a helmet, and he gets full-time employment at left offensive tackle.
Nose tackle Joe Phillips remains unsigned, but no matter, the Chargers like Mitchell Benson and Tony Savage. And you didn’t know who Anthony Shelton was.
Time for Bobby Beathard to go to work.
Beathard will have 14 draft picks in the April 21-22 NFL draft, including three of the top 39 choices, and you don’t have to be the smartest man in the NFL to know the 6-10 Chargers need help.
But where do you start? At quarterback?
“We won’t take a quarterback in the first round,” Beathard said. “We have someone we like, and if he’s available later on, maybe.”
The Chargers will make the ninth selection in the first round. What about a trade to move up in the first round to select an explosive player such as Notre Dame wide receiver Raghib Ismail or a cornerback such as Notre Dame’s Todd Lyght?
“There isn’t a player that we like so much that we would consider moving up in the first round,” Beathard said. “We’ve talked to two teams about moving back.”
That means the Chargers probably won’t have a chance to get Tennessee offensive tackle Antone Davis or Miami defensive tackle Russell Maryland.
“I think we’ll come out of this with a good football player,” Beathard said.
What about UCLA safety Eric Turner? Don’t forget, Anthony Shelton.
“You don’t like taking a safety that high in the first round unless he’s a really good one,” Beathard said.
Might a trade with San Francisco for quarterback Steve Young be in the works?
“I think they think they are going to get two number ones for the guy,” Beathard said. “What they talked to us about was they’d have to have a one and a top defensive lineman. We won’t do it. It won’t happen.”
Beathard’s track record on draft day, however, suggests the Chargers will make some sort of trade. In 12 years with Washington, Beathard held on to the Redskins’ No. 1 pick only three times. His selection of linebacker Junior Seau last season was the first No. 1 pick he made since 1983.
Will he spend the Chargers’ No. 1 to acquire a veteran safety? Will he trade next year’s No. 1 for a safety, or, as he attempted a year ago, will he attempt to deal it away for more picks in this year’s draft?
Last year, Beathard offered the team’s 1991 first-round pick to Green Bay because he wanted South Carolina running back Harold Green or Iowa State guard Keith Sims. Then he tried to give the Chargers’ 1991 first-round choice to Dallas for a second-round pick and the chance to get Sims.
After failing to make that trade, he dealt a 1991 third-round choice to Dallas for three sixth-round picks and then took quarterback John Friesz, center Frank Cornish and tight end Derrick Walker.
“I don’t go into it thinking we’re going to trade; it just happens,” Beathard said. “But I’m really excited about this draft. I think we’ll really help our team with our top three picks.”
While Beathard plots his strategy, New England has the first choice and a dilemma.
“The Rocket’s a luxury pick,” Beathard said. “If you’re with a team that needs so much, he’s not the guy to take. If you do take the guy, how can you afford to pay what he’s asking.”
Last year Indianapolis gave Atlanta a fifth-round pick, wide receiver Andre Rison, offensive lineman Chris Hinton and a 1991 No. 1 pick for the top choice in the draft and a fourth-round selection.
“I don’t think the first pick this year is going to fetch what other first picks have in the past,” Beathard said. “The team that could most afford the Rocket is Dallas, which has three first-round picks.”
Beyond the Rocket, there are:
* Iowa running back Nick Bell, 6-2, 255--Dazzled the scouts at the NFL Combine workouts with a 4.45 40-yard dash. “By his size and speed he’s kind of a freak,” Beathard said. “Not many people that big run that fast. He’s a real threat to make the big play.”
* Tennessee wide receiver Alvin Harper, 6-3, 205--Has been compared to the Jets’ Al Toon and won last year’s SEC indoor high jump title with leap of 7-2 1/4. “Very productive and very consistent,” Beathard said.
* Texas El Paso wide receiver Reggie Barrett, 6-2 1/2, 212--Missed three games in senior season with chipped bone in ankle, but still led team with 43 catches. Caught a total of 117 passes in his sophomore and junior seasons. “May give away a little in straight-away sprinter’s speed, but makes up for it with size,” Beathard said.
* Miami wide receiver Randal Hill, 5-10 1/2, 178--Ran the fastest 40 at the NFL Combine with a 4.34. Background in Miami passing game and break-away speed makes him an inviting target. “After the Rocket he may be the biggest threat of all the receivers,” Beathard said. “He’s exciting and the kind of player you don’t like to play against.”
* Tennessee offensive tackle Antone Davis, 6-4 1/2, 318--Started at both left guard and right tackle for the Vols. Considered the standout lineman in this draft, but doesn’t draw as many high marks as tackle Richmond Webb, who went to Miami last year on the ninth pick. “A good kid, who has all the ability,” Beathard said. “I heard someone say he reminds him of (Raider Coach) Art Shell.”
* Tennessee offensive tackle Charles McRae, 6-6 1/2, 291--Started at left tackle for a Tennessee offense that averaged 411 yards per game. Isn’t considered the athlete Davis is, but critics say he plays harder than his teammate. “He’s a classic over-achiever; his motor is going 100 m.p.h.,” Beathard said.
* Miami defensive tackle Russell Maryland, 6-1, 273--Has graduated and is now working on master’s degree in psychology. Scouts like his attitude and 4.95 speed, but some question his size. “He’s the guy that helps everybody on the team,” Beathard said. “This is a great competitor.”
* Louisville defensive tackle Ted Washington, 6-4, 300--Cardinals’ defense ranked sixth in nation with big-time contribution from Washington, who was credited with 15 stops behind the line of scrimmage. “A big man, a legitimate 300-pounder,” defensive coordinator Ron Lynn said. “He’s got outstanding natural strength. He’s capable of coming in and making a difference.”
* Mississippi defensive tackle Kelvin Pritchett, 6-2 1/2, 275--Played as a defensive end in college, but drew high marks as defensive tackle in Senior Bowl workouts. “A really bright guy, and if you look at the bowl game with Michigan, I bet out of the first 15 plays he’s in on 10 tackles,” said Lynn.
* Defensive end Eric Swann, 6-4 1/2, 313--Did not attend college and has received tremendous attention as a potential top draft pick. Draft expert Joel Buchsbaum has him going to Detroit with the 11th pick in round one; ESPN’s Mel Kiper has him going to Atlanta on the third pick of the first round. “He’s an impressive guy physically, but doesn’t know how to play the game at this point,” Lynn said. “I don’t think he’s a first-round pick, but that’s me.”
* Nebraska linebacker Mike Croel, 6-2 1/2, 233--An outside linebacker who has drawn interest from teams looking for a pass rusher. “He’s supposed to go real high,” Lynn said.
* Colorado linebacker Alfred Williams, 6-5 1/2, 235--Draft prognosticators had Williams going as one of the top five picks before the season, but he disappeared in Buffs’ big games. Ran a 4.84 to draw renewed interest. “You wouldn’t think we’d be interested in Croel or Williams unless we were thinking of moving Billy Ray Smith inside,” Lynn said.
* Notre Dame cornerback Todd Lyght, 6-0, 185--Ran a 4.52 and has drawn interest as the top corner in the draft. “He’s got size, he can run and is plenty tough enough,” Beathard said. “After the Rocket, I’d put him right up there with anybody.”
* Nebraska cornerback Bruce Pickens, 5-10, 191--Has the 4.43 speed NFL scouts look for when searching for corners and drew raves for his combine workout. “He’s really a gifted athlete,” Beathard said.
* UCLA safety Eric Turner, 6-1, 207--The next Kenny Easley. Ranks fourth on school’s all-time list with 369 tackles. Teams don’t like to take safeties high in the draft, but stock has risen with workouts recently. “He’s good enough that he could be left in the game to cover,” Beathard said. “He’s not a safety that can’t cover people.”
* North Carolina State safety Jesse Campbell, 6-2, 213--A fourth-year junior who was redshirted as a freshman, he declared himself eligible for the draft. Buchsbaum said he’s a faster, sleeker version of Cincinnati’s David Fulcher.
* Texas safety Stanley Richard, 6-1 1/2, 198--Shifted between cornerback and safety. Has the sub-4.5 speed and leaping ability that NFL scouts covet. “Same kind of guy as Turner,” Lynn said. “Both will be receiving their degrees and are quality kids.”
* Indiana safety Mike Dumas, 5-11, 177--Rated as one of the country’s top special teams performers. Set a school record with a 99-yard interception return. Buchsbaum said: “In some ways he is similar to Charger free safety Vencie Glenn before Glenn started to go downhill. Dumas is a better player and competitor.”
Early predictions have Ismail being selected first, Lyght second, Croel third, Davis, Maryland and McRae.
Based on need, the Chargers’ best selection appears to be Turner, although Tampa Bay, with the seventh pick, also might be eyeing him.
“When we get done with the draft I’d like to have a safety we’re comfortable with,” Lynn said. “Whether it comes in the draft or come in a trade it doesn’t make any difference to me.
“I know Bobby has a history for making these magical deals. The bottom line is, it’s going to be addressed.”