Will Clarett, who played just one year of college football, be a first-round pick?
It’s possible. Although Clarett is projected as a second-rounder by several draft analysts, remember that the Buffalo Bills used a No. 1 pick last spring on former Miami (Fla.) running back Willis McGahee, trying to return after tearing knee ligaments. So, yes, teams sometimes roll the dice in the latter part of Round 1. Clarett, though, also must contend with a running back crop much deeper than those from the last two drafts. Q: Can the NFL win an appeal that would keep Clarett out of the 2004 draft? A: With the draft slated for April 24-25, it’s very unlikely that the case would be heard and decided by then. NFL attorneys don’t expect such action between now and the draft. Usually, an appeals case takes several months to be heard and decided. Q: What other legal means might threaten Clarett’s entrance in the draft? A: The league’s best shot is to ask ruling Judge Shira Scheindlin or an appeals judge to execute a stay while the appeal is pursued. Q: Can other players deemed too young
