Now Everything Seems to Be Up in Air

By ROBYN NORWOOD

April 20, 2001 12 AM PT

TIMES STAFF WRITER

What had been the only sure thing about Saturday’s NFL draft--Michael Vick going No. 1 to the San Diego Chargers--has taken on a faint glimmer of uncertainty with the Chargers and Vick’s agents struggling to agree on a reasonable contract for a player not expected to contribute for a year or two.

Whether that’s negotiations posturing on both parts or a real roadblock isn’t yet clear. The Chargers aren’t inclined to pick Vick without a pre-draft deal in place and could still try to trade down or simply use the pick on running back LaDainian Tomlinson of Texas Christian instead.

Other than that bit of intrigue, the suspense is whether the much-anticipated trade between the Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Rams to reunite quarterback Trent Green with former Ram coach Dick Vermeil will come off before the Chiefs pick 12th.

A look at the needs of NFL teams (first-round position in parentheses):

ARIZONA CARDINALS (2)--They need plenty--from the defensive line to cornerback, tight end, linebacker, etc. Unless the Cardinals are able to trade down and turn the No. 2 overall pick into a bunch of players, they’ll take Florida defensive tackle Gerard Warren--or mammoth Texas offensive tackle Leonard Davis, a late favorite.

ATLANTA FALCONS (5)--Another team that might try to trade. Atlanta needs a future quarterback with Chris Chandler aging and battered. Vick would be a consideration in the somewhat unlikely event San Diego passes because of a contract stalemate. Receiver is another need, although Coach Dan Reeves believes their abundance in this draft diminishes the need to take one as high as fifth. North Carolina State’s Koren Robinson is a possibility. So is a defensive lineman.

BALTIMORE RAVENS (31)--The Super Bowl champions are looking ahead to the day they’ll have to replace Rod Woodson, and have designs on converting Arizona State linebacker Adam Archuleta to safety if he’s available with the final pick of the first round. The Ravens also need an heir to tight end Shannon Sharpe, and might try to grab one of the many receivers available.

BUFFALO BILLS (14)--With Marcellus Wiley in Buffalo West at San Diego and Ted Washington also gone, the Bills are in serious need of defensive line help. Lucky for them, this is one of the deepest drafts in history at that position. Snagging a defensive lineman at No. 14 should be no problem. Offensive line is another need, witness Rob Johnson. So is cornerback, and in later rounds, a kicker and punter.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (11)--Add them to the group talking trade, up or down. With discussions with Denver about running back Mike Anderson quiet, the Panthers would be happy if Mississippi’s Deuce McAllister is available at No. 11. He might not be, and Wisconsin sprinter Michael Bennett is considered risky for the Panthers because of his scrape with the law. Other needs include linebacker and defensive and offensive line.

CHICAGO BEARS (8)--One theory is that no matter what the Bears need, Mark Hatley will mess it up. Linebacker Brian Urlacher is the only one of his three No. 1 picks who is starting. (The others were quarterback Cade McNown and running back Curtis Enis.) The big needs are for a running back, a receiver and a pass rusher. Tomlinson and McAllister as well as the receiver Robinson might be gone by No. 8, leaving Chicago considering California defensive end Andre Carter.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (4)--If Davis--the Texas offensive lineman who is almost 6 feet 6 and 370 pounds and reportedly “not fat”--is available, he looks like the pick. But he might be gone by No. 4. If he is, Florida offensive tackle Kenyatta Walker figures to be the choice. The Bengals have used a first-round pick on an offensive lineman only once since 1984. It’s time. Defensive line is another need.

CLEVELAND BROWNS (3)--Yet another candidate to trade down, the Browns reportedly have shifted away from using the No. 3 pick on a high-priced running back such as Tomlinson or McAllister, with Michigan receiver David Terrell a possibility should they keep the pick. If they trade down and find McAllister still available, he remains in their sights.

DALLAS COWBOYS (no pick)--With no first-round pick and only three among the top 136, the Cowboys won’t be able to do much about their many needs. Their first selection is 37th overall after trading their first-round selection for receiver Joey Galloway last year. With Troy Aikman gone, it’s rebuilding time: They’ll go for the “best player available.” The holes are many.

DENVER BRONCOS (24)--The Broncos gave up more passing yards than any other team, making cornerback an obvious need. There is a bunched group of solid candidates in the bottom third of the first round, and the Broncos might use the 24th pick on one. Defensive line is another need because of aging veterans.

DETROIT LIONS (18)--The Lions need an offensive lineman such as Michigan guard Steve Hutchinson or Wolverine tackle Jeff Backus. Coach Marty Mornhinweg told the Detroit Free Press he has toyed with using the 18th pick on Purdue quarterback Drew Brees even though the Lions have oft-injured Charlie Batch. But it seems more likely the Lions will try to pick up a quarterback later in the draft.

GREEN BAY PACKERS (10)--In his final draft before retiring, Ron Wolf is looking for a defensive lineman. The Packers might be a rare team interested in trading up because they would love to get Florida’s Warren, projected to go as high as second. Missouri’s Justin Smith and Georgia’s Richard Seymour will last a little longer--but maybe not until 10th, though there are plenty of others available.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (22)--First-round picks over the last five years have brought the Colts the trio of Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James and Marvin Harrison. Now it’s the defense’s turn, starting with linebacker Rob Morris last year. A good defensive tackle or cornerback easily can be secured with the 22nd pick, with the remaining need likely to be addressed in the second round.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (13)--After last season, the offensive line is a clear need, but some of the premier picks will be gone by the time the Jaguars choose 13th. Instead, Jacksonville might use the selection on a defensive player such as Miami linebacker Dan Morgan if he’s available--or one of the many standout defensive lineman who will still be on the board.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (12)--The long-anticipated trade is one that would send Green from the Rams to the quarterback-starved Chiefs. It probably will come down to the final minutes. The Rams still want the Chiefs’ first- and third-round picks. And as Vermeil repeatedly notes, they already have Kansas City’s second-round pick as compensation for hiring Vermeil. If the trade doesn’t happen, the Chiefs reportedly don’t believe Brees is worth the 12th pick.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (26)--The importance of using the first-round pick on a receiver diminished with the signing of free agent Dedric Ward from the New York Jets. Though Miami still might pick a receiver, a left tackle or cornerback are now possibilities, as is a trade.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (27)--Recall the 381 yards the Viking pass defense gave up to Kerry Collins and the New York Giants in the NFC championship game? Logic says Minnesota will use the 27th pick on a cornerback--perhaps Minnesota’s Willie Middlebrooks--to bolster the NFL’s 28th-ranked pass defense. But the surprise retirement of Robert Smith left a huge hole at running back. Should Bennett be available, he might be the choice.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (6)--At No. 10, the Patriots can hope to get a standout defensive or offensive lineman, or a receiver--but not the first pick at any of those positions. With a 26th-ranked rushing attack, offensive line might be the way to go.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (23)--Ricky Williams’ injury highlighted the need for a backup to complement Chad Morton, but that isn’t a first-round task. General Manager Randy Mueller is high on the defensive line crop, and if a good lineman is available, that’s a possibility. The Saints also are eyeing tight ends.

NEW YORK GIANTS (30)--The Super Bowl losers want another corner to go with Jason Sehorn. Finding someone to ease in behind Dave Thomas is the goal, and with four or five first-round corners, it should be no problem. Also on the list: a left tackle to be ready to replace aging Lomas Brown.

NEW YORK JETS (19)--Still trying to replace Keyshawn Johnson, the Jets are looking at receivers. (Only coincidence.) Johnson’s cousin, Chad Johnson of Oregon State, will be available but is projected for later in the first round. Miami’s Santana Moss is who the Jets like. The wish list includes defensive line coach Rubin Carter’s son, Andre, a Cal defensive end expected to be gone well before they pick.

OAKLAND RAIDERS (28)--The Raiders’ needs include a safety, linebacker, tight end and wide receiver. Archuleta could be an answer at safety. But a receiver to groom as Tim Brown’s replacement might still be available because of the depth of the class. There also are two good late first-round tight ends--Arizona State’s Todd Heap and North Carolina’s Alge Crumpler.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (25)--A standout receiver should fall to the Eagles, and they need one: Tight end Chad Lewis was the leading receiver last season. Terrell, Robinson and Moss figure to be gone, but there are anywhere from six to 10 of first-round caliber. A running back in the second round is probable because the Eagles aren’t sure Duce Staley will recover from his foot injury.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (16)--They wouldn’t mind dropping lower in the first if they could add to their slim portfolio of six picks in the entire draft. Defense is the focus--cornerbacks, defensive linemen and a linebacker to replace Levon Kirkland.

ST. LOUIS RAMS (20, 29)--The defense is a disaster only a season after a Super Bowl title, but the Rams have two late first-round picks and two more in the second, with the prospect of picking up more selections if the Green trade goes through. With defensive end Kevin Carter traded to Tennessee after a disappointing season, the Rams might use both first-round picks on defensive linemen.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (1)--Vick has been the apparent choice for a long time, but the difficulty of pre-draft negotiations raises a hint of a question. If somehow that isn’t resolved satisfactorily, the Chargers might turn to Tomlinson to fill their need at running back. Should they stick with Vick, they’ll be hoping Bennett, the Wisconsin speedster, is still available with the first pick of the second round.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (9)--Bill Walsh worked the trade-down strategy well before, but the opportunity might not be there. The obvious need is at running back after Charlie Garner signed with the Raiders and with Garrison Hearst’s ankle still uncertain. The two best, Tomlinson and McAllister, probably will be gone by the time the 49ers pick, so a defensive lineman or linebacker might be the choice.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7, 17)--Mike Holmgren needs a starting receiver and defensive line help and could find both by a little past the midway point of the first round. A receiver--probably Robinson--is the likely choice with the seventh pick. With the 17th pick--the result of an exchange of picks in the trade with Green Bay that brought him Matt Hasselbeck, Holmgren still will have a wide selection of defensive linemen, receivers and corners, another need.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (21)--Offensive line help could come in the form of Backus. The Buccaneers also will be looking for receiving help. Keyshawn Johnson led the team with 71 receptions, but for only 874 yards. Of course, Brad Johnson at quarterback might change that.

TENNESSEE TITANS (no pick)--The Titans traded the 29th pick to St. Louis for Carter, who despite his drop-off last season is far more prepared to replace Kenny Holmes than any rookie. Tennessee’s top pick is 60th overall, and Eddie George needs a backup.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (15)--What the Redskins really need is more draft picks. They had two of the top three overall last season. This time, they have only four all told. (Their third-round pick went to Kansas City as compensation for hiring Marty Schottenheimer as coach.) Needs include an offensive guard, receiver, linebacker, defensive tackle and a cornerback--possibly to replace Deion Sanders.

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

NFL Draft First-Round Order

The order of selection for the first round of the 2001 NFL draft, Saturday and Sunday:

1. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

2. ARIZONA CARDINALS

3. CLEVELAND BROWNS

4. CINCINNATI BENGALS

5. ATLANTA FALCONS

6. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

7. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (from Dallas)

8. CHICAGO BEARS

9. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS