AFC Central

Sporting News, The, April 21, 1997 by Mike Preston, Chris Haft, Jeff Legwold, Pete Prisco, Gerry Dulac

BALTIMORE RAVENS

1997 picks First round: 4th; second round: 34th, 58th; third round: 64th; fourth round: 118th; fifth round: 134th; sixth round: 167th, 194th; seventh round: 205th; 234th, 236th, 238th. Total: 12 picks.

For more on the RAVENS check out www.sportingnews.com/ nfl/teams/ravens

Needs

The emphasis this year will be on defense. The top need is an outside linebacker to complement Ray Lewis in the middle. And, as this year's college crop is not that deep in the defensive line, the team with the league's worst-ranked defense--including a secondary that allowed 248.1 yards per game--will look for secondary help. On offense, the team will try to snare a speedy running back and a tight end.

Outlook

The Ravens have the No. 4 pick overall and likely will be looking to trade down with Miami, Arizona, Tampa Bay, the Giants or Detroit. Ideally, the Ravens want to have a pick in the seven-to-10 range in the first round and then get another pick in the second round that would give them an opportunity to save about $2 million and sign two to three players instead of one. It seems like this may not happen until draft day, but if somehow USC defensive lineman Darrell Russell slips through to four, the team would keep its pick. If Florida State's Peter Boulware, an impact pass rusher, slips through to four, it will be interesting to see if the team chooses him in order to try to make a trade. If a trade is made, the team wants Virginia linebacker James Farrior. If he isn't available, the team also thinks highly of outside linebackers Dwayne Rudd of Alabama and Virginia's Jamie Sharper. The Ravens feel they may get a shot at cornerbacks Chad Scott of Maryland or Nebraska's Michael Booker, and they like Kent tight end O.J. Santiago.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

1997 picks: First round: 14th; second round: 43rd; third round: 76th; fourth round: 111th; fifth round: 144th sixth round: 176th; seventh round: 217th. Total: seven picks.

For more on the BENGALS check out www.sportingnews.com/ nfl/teams/bengals

Needs

The team would like to open the season with eight or nine linebackers for its new 3-4 scheme, and it doesn't have that many now. Though the team led the NFL in interceptions last year, it also gave up a ton of passing yards, largely explaining its desire for more depth in the secondary. Another guard wouldn't hurt. After losing Garrison Hearst (free agency), the team might consider another RB.

Outlook

Yes, Virginia, the team should find some linebacking help, and it'll probably come from the University of Virginia, which offers two of the draft's top linebacking prospects in James Farrior and Jamie Sharper. Farrior has been projected to go first, but Sharper, with his 4.65 speed and his 36 1/2-inch vertical jump, is no slouch. A lineman such as Colorado end Greg Jones, who has shown the ability to play outside linebacker, also might fill the bill. The team was unhappy with Ki-Jana Carter's physical condition during a recent minicamp, so the chances that it will draft a running back for insurance have expanded. The team also is looking for help on kick returns, so Virginia's Tiki Barber might make sense. The Bengals picked an especially good year to need cornerbacks, since there's a bumper crop at that position. They will jump on somebody like Kansas State's Chris Canty, Louisville's Sam Madison or Nebraska's Michael Booker if any of them are available in the second round. Taking a corner back in the first round also would not be a shock.

HOUSTON OILERS

1997 picks: First round: 13th; second round: 46th; third round: 75th; fourth round: 98th, 110th; fifth round: 143rd; sixth round: 165th; seventh round: 216th Total: eight picks.

For more on the OILERS check out www.sportingnews.com/ nfl/teams/oilers

Needs

The closer you get to the sideline, the greater the team's needs. The Oilers head into this year's draft with the most glaring needs at cornerback, wide receiver and outside pass rusher. With the move toward a more traditional offense from the three-wide receiver set, the team also will search for a tight end as well as a fullback. The Oilers had no fullbacks on the roster last season.

Outlook

By process of elimination the first pick--unless a deal is made--is likely to be a receiver. With coveted cornerbacks Shawn Springs, Bryant Westbrook and Tom Knight likely to be gone by the time the Oilers are on the clock, they will have to look to receiver because no other corners are worth the 13th pick. Colorado's Rae Carruth is their favorite wideout in the draft, but Florida's Reidel Anthony will get a long look. They also like Anthony's teammate Ike Hilliard and worked them out on the same day. But Anthony ran slightly better--including an eye-catching time in the 4.3s--which will break the tie. A tight end also could be considered--Cal's Tony Gonzalez and LSU's David LaFleur are the highest rated. Southern Illinois TE Damon Jones could be a possibility in the second round. After the opening round, as many as two picks could be used on cornerbacks and two picks on defensive linemen. The team still is looking to upgrade the pass rush, but general manager Floyd Reese says there is value in the later rounds.