April has arrived, and that means it's time to start getting the answers to some of the biggest questions surrounding the 1999 NFL Draft.
| |  |
| Ricky Williams might be running toward New Orleans. |
Here are some key indicators of what we'll see in New York on April 17-18:
Where will Ricky Williams go?
Somehow, someway, it sure looks as though he will end up in New Orleans. Mike Ditka will probably kick in next year's No. 2, adding to the eight choices (all six this year and the No. 1 and 3 in 2000) the Saints have already offered. That's a strong, Herschel Walker-type of deal that should entice the Indianapolis Colts, who are looking for defense.
The Browns are reconsidering taking Williams with the first pick. Williams works out next Tuesday and should run a 4.4 weighing 230 pounds. That will secure him as the No. 4 or 5 pick, but there has been too much time lost to boost him back to No. 1.
Who will be the No. 1 pick?
In the end, there seems to be a comfortable fit between Tim Couch and the Cleveland Browns. Coach Chris Palmer is incorporating many of the passing schemes that he used as offensive coordinator in Jacksonville.
Palmer will use some elements of the run-and-shoot that fit Couch's style. The Browns want to see April 11 if Couch's arm is as strong after 75 throws as it is after the first. The remarkable thing they saw from Akili Smith is that 75 passes provided just a warmup to him. He gets stronger after 75 throws.
Any veteran players who might be dealt for picks?
Offensive tackle Andy Heck of Chicago, wide receiver Mike Pritchard of Seattle, quarterback Jim Druckenmiller of San Francisco and defensive end Marcus Jones from Tampa Bay are all available, but they probably won't elicit more than a fifth- or sixth-round choice.
Three players on the rise
A strong workout by Virginia defensive end Patrick Kerney this week moved him into the middle of the first round. He's a 270-pounder with 4.7 speed.
James Johnson from Mississippi State is the fastest-rising running back and could crack the bottom of the first round.
Center Damien Woody of Boston College continues to rise because he's clearly the best center in a weak class, but the more teams watch tape of him, the more they like him.
Three players on the fall
Defensive tackle Jared DeVries of Iowa has fallen out of the top group of defensive linemen and out of the first round.
Teams are showing concern about Penn State lineman Floyd Wedderburn's knees and moved him behind many of the talented offensive tackles available.
Safety Antwan Edwards of Clemson left teams disappointed in his workout and might have trouble justifying a lower first-round pick.
Three unknown players who will be drafted early
A year ago, Oregon's Akili Smith was an unknown outside the Pacific Northwest. Now, he's on the verge of being the first choice in the NFL draft. His strong, tireless arm and great intelligence test have him battling Tim Couch for No. 1.
Eastern Michigan tackle L.J. Shelton is the son of former NBA star Lonnie Shelton. His incredible size (6-foot-5, 320 pounds) and athletic ability have him among the elite 14 players in this draft.
Quarterback Shaun King of Tulane was unbeaten on the field last year. His ability to make plays makes him a low first-round candidate and perhaps the sixth QB taken in the first round.
Team in the best shape entering the draft
The Green Bay Packers have 12 draft choices and not a whole lot of needs. Sure, they need to get younger on the defensive line. They could add depth to the offensive line, and it wouldn't hurt to pull a cornerback out among their first three picks. But they have the luxury of having a solid playoff team, Brett Favre at quarterback and six choices in the first four rounds to find young replacement players.
Team in the worst shape entering the draft
George Seifert's Carolina Panthers have plenty of holes on their roster, but they have only six choices, and they also don't have picks in the first and third rounds. How do you fill all the needs on the offensive line while trying to find a way to acquire young speed on defense?
Dilemma of the first round
Figuring out where to pick Ricky Williams, who delayed his workout until 11 days before the draft. He has allowed three quarterbacks to jump ahead of him.
Another dilemma would be if Central Florida's Daunte Culpepper falls to No. 7 as the fourth quarterback. I don't get great reads that Culpepper would be Chicago's choice, and that could move a defensive player a few spots higher.
One pick that causes others to fall into place
If the Eagles or Bengals take Culpepper, then Syracuse's Donovan McNabb could fall to Chicago, Williams could be No. 4 and Georgia's Champ Bailey No. 5. Miami (Fla.)'s Edgerrin James could then go to St. Louis, and the top half of the first round could run smoothly without many trades.
Teams looking to trade up
New England, Oakland, New Orleans.
Teams looking to trade down
Washington -- if Champ Bailey and Williams aren't available at the No. 5 pick.
Seattle and Miami also might be candidates, depending on how the first half of the draft falls.
