Mailbag: Harrison Smith to San Diego?
April, 1, 2012
4/01/12
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By
Bill Williamson | ESPN.com
Weekend mail call:
Marco from Lodi, Ca. wants to know if I think 2011 Oakland drafts picks Terrelle Pryor and David Ausberry have a chance to take the next step in 2012.
Bill Williamson: Both players will be closely watched in training camp. Currently, Pryor is Oakland’s backup quarterback. But the Raiders are expected to pursue a veteran at some point. Still, if Pryor makes strides, he could become Oakland’s backup, although I think he still may be a project. Ausberry was a seventh-round pick last season. He has great size and potential. The former Oakland coaching staff praised him. Because of the release of Kevin Boss, Ausberry may get a chance to, at least, be a top rotational player. If Ausberry has a good preseason, he should get a chance to play in 2012.
Jake Dunne from East Lansing, Mi. wants to know if I think Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins could be a target of the Broncos in the draft.
BW: I think Cousins could have been a target of the Broncos if they kept Tim Tebow as the starter. There is still a chance Denver could take a quarterback in the second round even with Peyton Manning. I tend to think Denver may wait a year to add a young quarterback and look to add at other positions in the early rounds this year.
Bill Davis from San Diego wants to know if I think Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith will be available to the Chargers want they in the second round.
BW: The Chargers really like Smith, but it may be a matter of timing. Smith has zoomed up a lot of team’s draft boards and he likely won’t be available when the Chargers pick at No. 47. If he is available, I think the Chargers would take him there. There is a chance, if other options aren’t available when the Chargers pick at No. 18, that they can move down in the first round and grab Smith in addition to more picks.
Marco from Lodi, Ca. wants to know if I think 2011 Oakland drafts picks Terrelle Pryor and David Ausberry have a chance to take the next step in 2012.
Bill Williamson: Both players will be closely watched in training camp. Currently, Pryor is Oakland’s backup quarterback. But the Raiders are expected to pursue a veteran at some point. Still, if Pryor makes strides, he could become Oakland’s backup, although I think he still may be a project. Ausberry was a seventh-round pick last season. He has great size and potential. The former Oakland coaching staff praised him. Because of the release of Kevin Boss, Ausberry may get a chance to, at least, be a top rotational player. If Ausberry has a good preseason, he should get a chance to play in 2012.
Jake Dunne from East Lansing, Mi. wants to know if I think Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins could be a target of the Broncos in the draft.
BW: I think Cousins could have been a target of the Broncos if they kept Tim Tebow as the starter. There is still a chance Denver could take a quarterback in the second round even with Peyton Manning. I tend to think Denver may wait a year to add a young quarterback and look to add at other positions in the early rounds this year.
Bill Davis from San Diego wants to know if I think Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith will be available to the Chargers want they in the second round.
BW: The Chargers really like Smith, but it may be a matter of timing. Smith has zoomed up a lot of team’s draft boards and he likely won’t be available when the Chargers pick at No. 47. If he is available, I think the Chargers would take him there. There is a chance, if other options aren’t available when the Chargers pick at No. 18, that they can move down in the first round and grab Smith in addition to more picks.
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