NFL DRAFT

It appears now that the first pick, maybe even the initial two selections in today’s NFL draft, could be offensive tackles--a cornerback might sneak in there or fall third--and then a defensive tackle or defensive end, followed by a cornerback and linebacker . . .

Not a future Super Bowl MVP in the bunch.

It could be hours before someone who throws, catches or runs with the ball is selected.

If the Rams were still the hometown team, sure, it would be funny. They traded four draft selections, including their own first-round pick, to move to the head of the line to get a big body to replace tackle Wayne Gandy, a previous first-round error. Same old Rams.

But the Rams are in St. Louis and that’s where Ohio State behemoth Orlando Pace will play, and who cares? The Raiders come next, and you know the drill. If they were still here, Los Angeles would have its teams picking 1-2 and taking two blockers. And people elsewhere wonder why no one here is pining for the return of pro football.

The Raiders traded up to the No. 2 pick in the draft weeks ago to be in position to take Pace, who is now headed to St. Louis because the Rams traded with the Jets for the No. 1 overall choice. Same old Raiders.

The Raiders are left with Florida State offensive tackle Walter Jones, USC defensive tackle Darrell Russell, Ohio State cornerback Shawn Springs, or a trade to avoid having to make such a decision.

The Seattle Seahawks had also moved forward in the draft to the third slot to get Springs and now they might look foolish. And remember, they were almost L.A.’s new team.

If Detroit trades with the Raiders and hops ahead of Seattle, the Lions get Springs and the Seahawks settle for Texas cornerback Bryant Westbrook or the other leftovers already mentioned.

Would you buy a personal seat license to see Bryant Westbrook?

Come on, enough with the characters who will disappear into supporting roles for the rest of their careers.

Where’s Jake Plummer going? The 6-foot-1, 199-pound Arizona State quarterback, the next Joe Montana, the guy who has true grit with the scramble to excite and snatch victory at the very last desperate second? The man with all the intangibles and a track record of success? The guy who can really make a difference?

Bubby Brister’s back in the league. So is Randall Cunningham. And Jim Everett still has a job, despite having a new boss in Mike Ditka. Elvis Grbac is now a starter, Warren Moon a backup and Billy Joe Hobert is the new Jim Kelly.

Lots of room out there for Plummer, rated by most as the third-best quarterback available in this draft. But who makes the first move on a guy who can save a franchise?

San Francisco might trade with Miami to get California tight end Tony Gonzalez, leaving Jimmy Johnson to take Virginia Tech quarterback Jim Druckenmiller. The 49ers, if unable to nab Gonzalez, will try for Druckenmiller.

Plummer doesn’t care. He has heard about interest in Seattle and San Francisco. He has been told he could go in the first round--or much later. And Montana didn’t get drafted until the third round.

“Doesn’t matter,” Plummer said. “It’s just an opportunity to play, and then things start happening.

“People have compared me to Joe Montana in style, and I wore No. 16 in college by accident, which actually got teams looking at me in the same way as Montana, so that was a good thing. But while Joe Montana is an idol to me, I want to make a name for myself.”

But where will that be? In order:

1. ST. LOUIS

The Rams are in the midst of a Dick Vermeil overhaul, and if his good-guy routine with Lawrence Phillips works, look out.

Free agency update: Running back Craig Heyward from Atlanta, linebacker Mike Jones from Oakland, and kicker Jeff Wilkins from San Francisco look like money well spent.

Draft projection: Pace.

2. OAKLAND

Jeff George and Desmond Howard give the Raiders tremendous firepower, so why is everyone laughing at them?

Free agency update: The loss of Kevin Gogan to the 49ers took some zip off the signing of George. Jeff Hostetler is headed to Washington.

Draft projection: Russell, Springs or Jones.

3. / 12. SEATTLE

The Seahawks have the third and 12th choices, but the Jets’ trade may keep them from Springs and the blockbuster day they expected.

Free agency update: Linebacker Chad Brown from Pittsburgh is a big upgrade, but the biggest addition will be owner Paul Allen and his billions.

Draft projection: Springs or Westbrook and Miami defensive end Kenny Holmes.

4. BALTIMORE

The only thing Raven fans have to look forward to is a new stadium a year from now and higher prices for tickets to watch Vinny Testaverde.

Free agency update: Ravens lacked money to keep safety Eric Turner but found enough to sign Seattle pass rusher Mike McCrary. Huh?

Draft projection: Trade to Giants, who want Jones? Otherwise Boulware or Alabama linebacker Dwayne Rudd.

5. DETROIT

Frank Reich and Matt Blundin will back up Scott Mitchell. Stay healthy, Scott.

Free agency update: Lost safety Bennie Blades to Seattle, tackle Zefross Moss to New England. Are they saving money to extend Barry Sanders’ contract?

Draft projection: Trade with Raiders? Springs or Westbrook.

6. NEW YORK JETS

Parcells wants to rebuild the team’s defense, although, if not mistaken, they still have Neil O’Donnell at quarterback.

Free agency update: Addition of Saints’ fullback Lorenzo Neal does not figure to significantly alter last year’s 1-15 mark.

Draft projection: Trade for more picks and Florida State defensive end Reinard Wilson.

7. NEW YORK GIANTS

If Dan Reeves were still in control, he might be looking favorably at Druckenmiller just for an excuse to get rid of Dave Brown.

Free agency update: Giants, parked in the dark ages, don’t take an interest in buying players.

Draft projection: Trade up for Jones or Colorado wide receiver Rae Carruth.

8. / 16. TAMPA BAY

Trent Dilfer and Steve Walsh are now the Buccaneers’ 1-2 punch at quarterback. Talk about being down for the count.

Free agency update: Kept tackle Paul Gruber to protect Dilfer, but running back Errict Rhett’s future is up in the air.

Draft projection: Two picks, Nos. 8 and 16--trade up Boulware or Miami wide receiver Yatil Green and Houston running back Antowain Smith.

9. ARIZONA

Boomer Esiason is back in Cincinnati, leaving quarterback Kent Graham to continue owner Bill Bidwill’s tradition of excellence.

Free agency update: The Cardinals concentrated on keeping their own players, many of them the ones who went 39-73 the last seven seasons.

Draft projection: Carruth or Iowa cornerback Tom Knight.

10. NEW ORLEANS

Trade for Heath Shuler means world might miss out on entertaining sideline dramatics between Ditka and Everett.

Free agency update: Team with no talent can’t afford to lose players like Tyrone Hughes.

Draft projection: Washington running back Corey Dillon or Smith.

11. ATLANTA

The Falcons needed a quarterback and traded for Chris Chandler, which suggests they are positioning themselves to earn the worst record in 1997 and the chance to pick Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning with the first pick next year.

Free agency update: Colt cornerback Ray Buchanan was signed to improve the Falcons’ 29th-ranked defense, which now is the No. 28 defense.

Draft projection: Virginia linebacker James Farrior.

13. HOUSTON

It’s now Steve McNair’s team, and to show their confidence in him, the Oilers hired a guy who is no threat, Dave Krieg.

Free agency update: Oilers kept tackle Brad Hopkins, but got a jolt with the departure of cornerback Cris Dishman to Washington.

Draft projection: Florida wide receiver Reidel Anthony or Knight.

14. CINCINNATI

No need for Jeff Blake to look over his shoulder, Esiason is right behind him waiting to remind the hometown fans of glory days gone by.

Free agency update: Lost Garrison Hearst to San Francisco, leaving the ball for Ki-Jana Carter. They might want to rethink that strategy.

Draft projection: Virginia outside linebacker Jamie Sharper.

15. MIAMI

Last year’s make-over sidetracked Jimmy Johnson, but emphasis on youth has the Dolphins looking like a contender.

Free agency update: Signing of safeties Corey Harris from Seattle and George Teague from Dallas will allow Johnson to gamble more in the draft.

Draft projection: Trade back and Druckenmiller or Wilson.

17. WASHINGTON

Gus Frerotte, Sean Gilbert and Darrell Green remain free agents, but Terry Allen is under contract and no one has been caught sleeping in the Lincoln bedroom.

Free agency update: Dishman’s addition is huge, but the Redskins couldn’t stop runners last year.

Draft projection: Miami defensive end Kenny Holmes or Notre Dame defensive tackle Renaldo Wynn.

18. KANSAS CITY

This city has become the triple-A stop for up-and-coming or down-and-out 49er quarterbacks. Elvis Grbac is the latest.

Free agency update: Derrick Thomas has been re-signed, but a trade for the Steelers’ Brentson Buckner doesn’t make up for a loss of Neil Smith.

Draft projection: California tight end Tony Gonzalez or Anthony.

19. INDIANAPOLIS

So far Jim Harbaugh hasn’t been injured, but it’s early in the off-season.

Free agency update: Seattle corner Carlton Gray is a poor man’s fill-in for Ray Buchanan, but Bears’ Al Fontenot adds pop to defensive front.

Draft projection: Wisconsin offensive tackle Jerry Wunsch.

20. MINNESOTA

Randall Cunningham is backing up Brad Johnson. Or is Brad Johnson backing up Randall Cunningham?

Free agency update: Kept guard Randall McDaniel but began new era by letting Moon go to Seattle. Re-signing Robert Smith reduces need for back.

Draft projection: Anthony or Florida wide receiver Ike Hilliard.

21. JACKSONVILLE

Mark Brunell & Co. have the firepower to repeat in the AFC title game, but the team stills needs defensive help.

Free agency update: In contrast to the expansion Panthers, the Jaguars have played it low key.

Draft projection: Wynn or Louisiana State tight end David LaFleur.

22. PHILADELPHIA

Ricky Watters remains a potential holdout, and that puts the ball in the hands of either Ty Detmer or Rodney Peete. Better draft a punter.

Free agency update: Spent a bundle on center Steve Everitt from Baltimore and lost defensive lineman William Fuller to San Diego.

Draft projection: North Carolina defensive tackle Rick Terry or Miami defensive end Kenard Lang.

23. BUFFALO

Hobert or Todd Collins as starting quarterback? The winter just got longer in Buffalo.

Free agency update: Status quo so far, therefore prompting the question: Do the Bills really think Thurman Thomas can still go the distance?

Draft projection: California offensive tackle Tarik Glenn.

24. PITTSBURGH

Kordell Stewart opens the season as starting quarterback and he’d better run out the clock because the Steelers have no cornerbacks.

Free agency update: Cornerbacks Willie Williams went to Seattle, Deon Figures to Jacksonville and Rod Woodson remains unsigned.

Draft projection: Nebraska cornerback Michael Booker.

25. DALLAS

The Cowboys have been awfully quiet in recent months--why knock it?

Free agency update: Lost their offense in kicker Chris Boniol to Eagles.

Draft projection: LaFleur, Gonzalez or Hilliard.

26. SAN FRANCISCO

Who plays more than Steve Young? The 49ers’ backup quarterback, who at the present time is Jeff Brohm.

Free agency update: Hearst and Gogan are quite the haul, but offensive line still needs bigger bodies.

Draft projection: Gonzalez or Druckenmiller.

27. CAROLINA

Kerry Collins emerged as a playmaker, and now he gets an uninjured Tim Biakabutuka and Muhsin Muhammad.

Free agency update: Addition of Houston linebacker Micheal Barrow and Steelers’ Ray Seals and Ernie Mills suggest a dynasty being built in Carolina.

Draft projection: Hilliard or Clemson defensive end Trevor Pryce.

28. DENVER

The Broncos want a new stadium and John Elway is nearing retirement: They will be going for it all this year.

Free agency update: The Broncos have been on a shopping spree, getting Smith from the Chiefs, and although they still have Shannon Sharpe, they added Willie Green from Carolina.

Draft projection: Louisville cornerback Sam Madison.

29. NEW ENGLAND

The Patriots have two extra draft picks because of Parcells’ departure. They would be better off with Parcells.

Free agency update: Half-hearted attempt to find replacement for cornerback Otis Smith leaves draft as last chance.

Draft projection: Kansas State cornerback Chris Canty.

30. GREEN BAY

Steve Bono, lost in Kansas City, will sign with the Packers after June 1 to sit behind Brett Favre.

Free agency update: The Packers have chosen not to bring back Sean Jones and Wayne Simmons, lost Desmond Howard and cut Andre Rison. Also, Keith Jackson retired. They might as well just disband.

Draft projection: Columbia defensive end Marcellus Wiley or Texas Tech running back Byron Hanspard.

SAN DIEGO

Let the guessing game begin: Who gets the Chargers’ No. 1 pick for 1998? Tampa Bay won the derby for the Chargers’ 1997 first-round pick.

Free agency update: The Chargers still lack a running game. Good move in cutting Chris Mims, but they replaced him with an aging William Fuller.

Draft projection: Cal’s Barnes or South Carolina State running back Kenny Bynum in Round 2.

CHICAGO

The Bears surrendered their No. 1 pick to Seattle so they could revitalize the career of quarterback Rick Mirer. Erik Kramer is warming up.

Free agency update: Jazzed-up special teams with Saints’ returner Tyrone Hughes but also went for Redskins’ toasted corner, Tom Carter.

Draft projection: USC tight end John Allred in the second round.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

WHERE: Madison Square Garden, New York City.

WHEN: 9 a.m. PDT, today (Rounds 1-3): 8 a.m. PDT, Sunday (Rounds 4-7).

PROCEDURE: Representatives of the 30 NFL clubs by telephone with their general managers, coaches and scouts.

TIME LIMITS: 15 minutes per team for Round 1; 10 minutes per team Rounds 3-7.

TV COVERAGE: ESPN, today (9 a.m.-4 p.m.); ESPN2 today (4 p.m.-conclusion); ESPN, Sunday (8-10 a.m.), ESPN2, Sunday (10 a.m.-conclusion).