Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, April 24, 1990 TAG: 9004240281
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JIM DUCIBELLA LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: CHANTILLY LENGTH: Medium
In the sixth round, they took Nebraska defensive tackle Kent Wells. Three rounds later, they chose Ohio State offensive lineman Tim Moxley.
In the 10th round, they chose Notre Dame cornerback D'Juan Francisco and Alabama defensive lineman Thomas Rayam. With their last pick, an 11th-rounder, they selected Minnesota inside linebacker Jon Leverenz.
"Going into today's portion, I don't know if we had any specific goals other than to get some players who could possibly help our team," said Charley Casserly, who completed his first draft as the Redskins' general manager. "With our linemen, we took all size with the idea that maybe they could develop into players."
Nebraska's Wells, an All-Big Eight Conference player, is a 6-foot-3 1/2, 290-pounder who came on strong near the end of the year after being hampered during the first five weeks with a knee injury. He led the Cornhuskers with six sacks and had 12 other tackles for losses.
A two-year starter for Nebraska, Wells is an avid weight lifter who bench-presses more than 450 pounds. He also won the 1989 Big Eight shot put championship after two years away from the event.
Draft experts say he has a tendency to sit high in his stance, losing leverage against stronger offensive linemen. He also has a difficult time changing directions.
Moxley is built like Redskins tackle Joe Jacoby - 6-7, 310 pounds. The Ohio State media guide called him the Buckeyes' largest offensive lineman ever. Draft experts say he is rigid and has trouble against quick defensive linemen.
Quickness isn't a problem for Notre Dame's Francisco, the first of Washington's two 10th-round picks. The 5-11, 180-pounder has been timed in 4.43 seconds for 40 yards. Francisco began his career as a tailback, moved to cornerback as a sophomore, then was shifted to strong safety before last season.
Draft experts viewed his man-to-man coverage ability as much improved last season and Casserly said Francisco will be tried strictly at cornerback.
Alabama's Rayam - pronounced "Ram" - is 6-5 1/2, 288 pounds and drew notice for his long wingspan. His claim to fame is that he blocked a field-goal attempt against Penn State last season that preserved the Crimson Tide's 17-16 nationally televised victory.
"We spotted him in the Senior Bowl, where he was a last-minute replacement for someone who was hurt," Casserly said. "He played well and hopefully, he can develop."
Casserly also relied on his Senior Bowl memories in picking another of that game's participants, Minnesota's Leverenz, with Washington's final pick of the draft, an 11th-rounder that was the 297th overall.
Leverenz, a middle linebacker, has been hampered by injuries to both knees and his left thumb. A sprained knee forced him to miss 4 1/2 games last season, but Casserly called him "instinctive" and said he could be used as a long snapper.
Casserly said the Redskins aren't done. He expects to sign approximately 10 free agents before the start of the team's minicamp in May.
Keywords:
FOOTBALL
by CNB