Making sense of Lions' leap and other risky draft picks

This is why: He flourished under a new offensive coordinator last year, completing 70 percent of his passes for 20 touchdowns and 7 interceptions and was named SEC offensive player of the year. The Redskins liked Campbell's 31-8 record, his size, the strength of his arm and, apparently, their future with him more than their future with Ramsey.

Gibbs insists that's not true, saying the club still belongs to Ramsey, but let's be honest here: You don't trade away a future No. 1 for a second-string quarterback. Ramsey is on the clock. He's the starter for now. But he either turns into Drew Brees or he's gone.

Luis Castillo, DT, San Diego

When Chargers general manager A.J. Smith showed up for work last weekend he vowed to emerge with a premier pass rusher -- either through the draft or through a trade. He explored a trade, reportedly talking to Tampa Bay about Simeon Rice, but when talks fell through, he made Merriman his first choice.

Conventional wisdom said he would turn to wide receiver or the offensive line with his second choice, the 28th overall, but Smith had his eyes set on Northwestern's Castillo -- the best defensive tackle in the draft until testing positive for steroids at the February scouting combine.

Yes, steroids. That's a no-no in the sports world today, and some scouts figured it could -- and maybe would -- push Castillo into the second or third round. They forgot to check with Smith.

"Luis Castillo was always, always on my mind going into the draft," said Smith. "We were going to go defense at the bottom, with Castillo penciled in. Up top was the debate -- are we going for a wideout or the defensive rush guy? But I kicked off of that when the rush came on offense and said, 'We're committed.'

"The marquee wideouts supposedly were the five or six in the first round, but we thought there was a group in the second round that might be darned good."

So he took Vincent Jackson there. But let's back up to Castillo. The Chargers have a marvelous defensive tackle in Jamal Williams, and, as much as Castillo seems a likeable guy, it's hard to get past his decision to turn to steroids.

"When you first see his name and steroids next to it you have to be concerned," said Smith. "But we started an investigative process all the way through the draft. From all the information we have we're very excited about what we're getting back. We feel he made a terrible mistake and that it's a one-time deal that had to do with an (injured) elbow.

"He panicked, but we feel very, very comfortable. This is not a loaded-up steroid guy who's been doing this for years. This is a great kid. That's our gut instinct, and I believe in that. He's going to be tested coming into the program -- like 24 times a year -- but I don't think it matters because I don't think he tests (positive) again. I really believe that."

He also believes Castillo will help the Chargers where they need it most -- with their pass rush. For the moment they have him at left defensive end but envision moving him inside on passing situations. That's the short-term plan. The long-term design might depend on how negotiations to retain Williams go. He has a year left on his contract.

"Luis Castillo is a terrific football player, and we're excited about having him," said Smith.

Maurice Clarett, RB, Denver

We knew he would be drafted, and you figured it would be by someone that could sit him behind another back. But the third round? And by Denver? Clarett has been out of the game two years, and the Broncos not only used their second draft pick a year ago on running back Tatum Bell; they just signed free-agent running back Ron Dayne.

"We always feel you never have enough depth at the running-back position," said coach Mike Shanahan.

Shanahan always gains the benefit of the doubt at the position. The Broncos' success with running backs is well documented, with the club scoring direct hits through the draft with Terrell Davis (sixth), Olandis Gary (fourth), Mike Anderson (sixth) and Clinton Portis (second).

You might throw Quentin Griffin (fourth) and Bell in there, too, but let's give them time. Besides, you have to run for 1,000 yards in Denver to join this conversation.

Clarett's an intriguing player. When he last played, in 2002, he led Ohio State to a national championship, set a school rushing record for yardage, scored 16 times and had seven games where he ran for 100 yards. But he has had a raft of personal trouble since then and embarrassed himself at the February scouting combine, failing to complete his workout after a poor 40.

Apparently, the Broncos weren't concerned. Their running backs coach, Bobby Turner, developed a relationship the past two years with Clarett and was convinced he could help them. It was Turner, who served as an assistant at Ohio State in 1989-90, who convinced Shanahan to stand up for Clarett in the third round.

"Coach Turner (and Shanahan) took a gamble," said Clarett. "I don't want to make them look stupid."