Chargers have No. 1, but will they keep it?
NEW YORK (AP) — San Diego has been here before.
For the third time in seven NFL drafts, the Chargers have a chance to take a franchise quarterback. This time, they hope they get it right.
But Ryan Leaf was a bust when he was chosen second overall in 1998, and the Chargers traded away the No. 1 overall pick in 2001 that Atlanta used to take Michael Vick. They could do it again, dealing out of the top spot and losing a shot at Eli Manning.
Manning, son of Archie and brother of Peyton, is the consensus No. 1. He’s about to complete an unprecedented trifecta, becoming the third member of a family to be drafted in the top two. Peyton went first (ahead of Leaf) six years ago, and Archie was the second overall choice in 1971.
But is the Spanos family that owns the Chargers willing to pay the money commanded by a quarterback taken first overall? Or would it make sense (and save dollars) to trade down and still have a shot at a QB such as Ben Roethlisberger or Philip Rivers?
“If there is a player there in the first round, quarterback or otherwise, and I feel we should take him, I’ll recommend that we do so,” Chargers general manager A.J. Smith says.
“Otherwise” could mean Iowa tackle Robert Gallery.
Of the quarterbacks, the closest to a sure thing is Manning. The Chargers might trade away the choice, but for now, let’s assume San Diego goes for …
ELI MANNING, QB, Mississippi.
2. OAKLAND. From the Super Bowl to the second pick in the draft. Another possible trade or another sure shot:
ROBERT GALLERY, OT, Iowa.
3. ARIZONA. Like the Chargers, the Cardinals often pick high. Combine bad luck and ineptitude, and they usually get a bust (Thomas Jones), an injury problem (Andre Wadsworth) or a guy who doesn’t blossom until he leaves (Simeon Rice). This time, they go for …
LARRY FITZGERALD, WR, Pitt, a ball boy for the Vikings when Dennis Green, Arizona’s new coach, was the head man in Minnesota.
4. NEW YORK GIANTS. Best bet to trade up because they’re rarely this high and covet Manning. Also could trade down. Make this a surprise:
ROY WILLIAMS, WR, Texas, who, given Arizona’s history, will be better than Fitzgerald.
5. WASHINGTON. The Redskins have traded away almost all of their picks but could get a gem here. Kellen Winslow Jr. is not the blocking tight end Joe Gibbs wants. Besides, the Skins won’t want to deal with his agents, the brothers Poston.
SEAN TAYLOR, S, Miami.
6. DETROIT. Desperately needs a running back, but none is worth the sixth pick.
KELLEN WINSLOW Jr., TE, Miami, is too good to pass up.
7. CLEVELAND. The Browns would love Gallery, but probably can’t get up high enough unless they give up the franchise in a trade. Jeff Garcia is the interim QB, but BEN ROETHLISBERGER, QB, Miami (Ohio), could have a big future after a couple of apprentice seasons.
8. ATLANTA. Jim Mora was a secondary coach before he was a defensive coordinator and head coach.
DeANGELO HALL, CB, Virginia Tech.
9. JACKSONVILLE. A lot of ways to go here.
KENECHI UDEZE, DE, Southern California, augments Hugh Douglas, a disappointment as a free agent last season.
10. HOUSTON. The Texans need backs more than linemen, but TOMMIE HARRIS, DT, Oklahoma, is the best DL in the draft — if he’s healthy.
11, PITTSBURGH. The Steelers need a quarterback for the future, as well as a cornerback. QB is more important than CB.
PHILIP RIVERS, QB, North Carolina State.
12. NEW YORK JETS. CB is more important than QB for the Jets, who have Chad Pennington.
DUNTA ROBINSON, CB, South Carolina.
13. BUFFALO. They’d like a QB or WR. They could trade down and get a good WR. If they stay here:
WILL SMITH, DE, Ohio State.
14. CHICAGO. The Bears had 800 pounds of Ted Washington and Keith Traylor in the middle the last time they made the playoffs. This time … 345 pounds of VINCE WILFORK, DT, Miami.
15. TAMPA BAY. Jon Gruden likes offense more than his predecessors. Mike Williams, WR, Southern California, might have been the pick. Instead, Bucs go for defense: D.J. WILLIAMS, LB, Miami.
16. SAN FRANCISCO. Terrell Owens and Tai Streets (not to mention Jerry Rice) are gone, so REGGIE WILLIAMS, WR, Washington, begins a new era at wide receiver.
17. DENVER. Clinton Portis is gone. KEVIN JONES, RB, Virginia Tech, is the next in a line of franchise runners, although the Broncos seem to be able to plug in any old back from any old round.
18. NEW ORLEANS. They need a cornerback, but they want a linebacker.
JONATHAN VILMA, LB, Miami, is an excellent fit.
19. MINNESOTA. Guards are often bypassed in the first round, but the Vikings need one.
VERNON CAREY, G, Miami, has Pro Bowl potential.
20. MIAMI. A.J. Feeley is this year’s “answer” after Ricky Williams in 2002 and Junior Seau in 2003.
SHAWN ANDREWS, T, Arkansas, can help Feeley (or Jay Fiedler), if he can keep his weight down.
21. NEW ENGLAND. Now that the Patriots have traded for Corey Dillon, they can turn their attention away from running back.
CHRIS GAMBLE, CB, Ohio State
22. DALLAS. Bill Belichick doesn’t necessarily like doing favors for Bill Parcells. But getting Dillon allows Parcells to take STEVEN JACKSON, RB, Oregon State.
23. SEATTLE. The Seahawks need defense, primarily a tackle and a middle linebacker.
RANDY STARKS, DT, Maryland.
24. CINCINNATI. The Bengals need defense. MARCUS TUBBS, DT, Texas supplies it.
25. GREEN BAY. The Packers can make Cheeseheads happy by choosing LEE EVANS, WR, Wisconsin, whose stock has been rising rapidly.
26. ST. LOUIS. The Rams are willing to trade Orlando Pace to move up, but the price could be too steep. To replace Grant Wistrom:
ANTWAN ODOM, DE, Alabama.
27. TENNESSEE. Frank Wycheck retired.
BEN TROUPE, TE, Florida, replaces him.
28. PHILADELPHIA. The Eagles need more linebackers.
KARLOS DANSBY, OLB, Auburn.
29. INDIANAPOLIS. The Colts have been plagued for years by a leaky secondary.
DERRICK STRAIT, CB, Oklahoma, might be a bit of a reach, but he can cover.
30. KANSAS CITY. Anyone who watched the Chiefs in the playoffs knows they need defense.
IGOR OLSHANSKY, DT, Oregon
31. CAROLINA. Little-known CB Ricardo Colclough from little-known Tusculum is a possibility. But …
MICHAEL CLAYTON, WR, from well-known LSU is the pick.
32. NEW ENGLAND. Offensive linemen from Boston College are good (Tom Nalen, Ron Stone). Offensive linemen from BC have been especially good for the Patriots (Damien Woody, Dan Koppen).
CHRIS SNEE, G, Boston College.