NFL Draft Left Several Unanswered Questions

Bleary-eyed as can be, National Football League personnel directors returned to their offices after a laborious 18-hour college draft, which included 18 trades, equaling the record set in 1986.

There were enough risky and curious picks to keep folks talking for days--such as linebacker Ilia Jarostchuk, a fifth-round pick by St. Louis. A first-generation American, he played defensive line at the University of New Hampshire with brothers Alex and Basil, and together they were known “The Russian Front.”

As teams scurried about trying to sign free agents, these draft thoughts crystallized among NFL personnel directors:

--While the Raiders added two capable tackles--Missouri’s John Clay and Tennessee’s Bruce Wilkerson--other teams are mystified by the Raiders’ inability to resolve the deficiency at quarterback.

There are two views about this. First, the Raiders, who pride themselves on drafting shrewdly, have dramatically improved their supporting cast with this draft and with the recent acquisition of all-pro receiver James Lofton and now will hope for the best from quarterbacks Rusty Hilger, Marc Wilson, Jim Plunkett and maybe even from fourth-round reach pick Steve Beuerlein of Notre Dame.

The second, and perhaps more likely view, is that the Raiders wanted to make the most of this year’s draft (they made a league-high seven trades to get 10 picks) and they now might be willing to part with next year’s No. 1 choice in exchange for a top passer--such as St. Louis’ Neil Lomax. The Cardinals did a poor job of shopping Lomax. “Especially,” said one NFL scout, “when you look around the league and see the teams with quarterback problems. They had so many teams to look to.”

The Cardinals selected Colorado State’s Kelly Stouffer with the sixth pick overall. Lomax, 28, an all-pro several seasons ago who now is backed up by veteran Cliff Stoudt, was quoted as saying, “I can’t understand what’s going on. I’m sure there will be a second part to this.” --Chicago Bear Coach Mike Ditka said he is pleased with his draft--quarterback Jim Harbaugh (Michigan), wide receiver Ron Morris (SMU) and defensive lineman Sean Smith (Grambling) were the top three picks. However, there were indications that Ditka did not want to select Harbaugh first, but was overruled by his club president, Mike McCaskey, and its personnel director, Bill Tobin.

Ditka reportedly likes Harbaugh, but wanted to draft a defensive player--such as linebacker Alex Gordon of Cincinnati--with his first pick. Tobin said he didn’t think Harbaugh would be available when the Bears picked in the second round.

One NFL general manager, who asked not to be identified, said: “I feel sorry for Mike. He doesn’t have the support now that Jerry (Vainisi, fired general manager) is gone. The head coach always needs someone to lean on. Mike’s fought through so much, with all his players’ egos and everything, and now he must feel like his island is getting smaller and smaller.”

Although Michigan quarterbacks have a history of slim production in the NFL, the Bears’ first-round draft picks from 1979 through 1985 all became productive starters: Dan Hampton, Al Harris, Otis Wilson, Keith Van Horne, Jim McMahon, Jimbo Covert, Willie Gault, Wilber Marshall and William Perry. The 1986 No. 1 pick, running back Neal Anderson, is almost certain to become a starter soon.