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.