For a division boasting the likes of LaDainian Tomlinson, Priest Holmes, Antonio Gates and now Randy Moss, the AFC West took a decidedly defensive bent Saturday during the first day of the NFL draft.
The defending division champion San Diego Chargers used their two first-round picks on Shawne Merriman, a linebacker from Maryland, and Luis Castillo, a defensive tackle from Northwestern. The Kansas City Chiefs, who traded Friday for a premier cornerback, Patrick Surtain, took Texas linebacker Derrick Johnson with the 15th pick.
Even the Oakland Raiders, who acquired the mercurial wide receiver Moss from the Minnesota Vikings in the biggest offseason trade, got into the act. Trading into the No. 23 slot in the first round, the thought was that the team would select Aaron Rodgers, a quarterback from Cal who was unexpectedly still on the board. Instead, Raiders coach Norv Turner, a noted quarterback guru, took Nebraska cornerback Fabian Washington.
“The Raiders did a good job of stepping up and getting a corner with a lot of potential,” said Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who, not wanting to be outdone, selected cornerback Darrent Williams of Oklahoma State in the second round, then two more in the third round.
Speaking of Oakland’s selection of Stanford Routt of Houston in the second round, Shanahan added, “They’re always big on corners. Now they have two who can really run.”
Speaking of big, one of the more impressive moves might have been the Chargers’ selection of former Northern Colorado wide receiver Vincent Jackson in the second round. At 6-feet-5, 240 pounds, Jackson can be paired with tight end Gates, a former basketball power forward, to create a nightmare scenario for diminutive defensive backs.
Anthony Cotton can be reached at 303-820-1292 or acotton@denverpost.com.
