DATE: Saturday, April 19, 1997              TAG: 9704190846

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JIM DUCIBELLA, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: ASHBURN, VA.                      LENGTH:   67 lines

WITH THE 17TH PICK, CASSERLY COUNTING ON A PLAYER WHO WILL HELP

The bitter taste of Heath Shuler barely out of his mouth, Charley Casserly will take another stab today at his most glaring weakness since becoming general manager of the Washington Redskins: the draft.

In the epic, made-for-TV drama that is the first round, where every team has 15 minutes to decide on players they've scouted, poked and prodded for months, the Redskins are in the middle at No. 17. That is the price paid by 9-7 teams that miss the playoffs.

``That's going to make it harder to predict who's going to be there,'' Casserly said, ``and not having a high pick in the second round effects you, too. You usually got a good player there, someone who fell out of the first round.

``I think we'll get someone who'll help us right away. The odds are good on that.''

Washington has nine picks this year, including three in the fifth round. The last of those came Thursday night in the completion of Shuler's trade to New Orleans. The Redskins also will receive New Orleans' third-round pick in 1998.

With new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan on board to elevate a unit that was the league's worst last season, the odds also are good that most of the Redskins' selections will play defense. With tackle Sean Gilbert expected to hold out and underachievers and has-beens like Sterling Palmer and Tony Woods having outlived their usefulness, Washington's top priority should be the line, especially a pass-rusher.

Casserly isn't sure there will be someone who meets their needs available at No. 17.

``There are six really good players, guys who stand head and shoulders above the rest, in this draft,'' he said. ``There's (defensive tackle) Darrell Russell, (offensive tackle) Orlando Pace, (defensive back) Shawn Springs, (cornerback) Bryant Westbrook, (offensive tackle) Walter Jones and (defensive end) Peter Boulware.

``After that, I'm not sure the player who's drafted seventh is going to be any better than the player we take 17th.''

If Casserly doesn't think there's a first-round lineman available when Washington picks, the Redskins' next priority would be linebacker. They cut middle linebacker Rod Stephens after last season, and aren't convinced backup Patrise Alexander can take over.

They'd like to move Marvcus Patton into the middle, which would leave them with a hole on the outside - and some intriguing prospects from which to choose.

There's Virginia's Jamie Sharper and James Farrior, one of whom should still be there. There's North Carolina's James Hamilton, a Ted Hendricks-type at 6-5, 235 pounds. Alabama's Dwayne Rudd likely will be gone, but Colorado's Greg Jones and Kevin Mitchell of Texas A&M should be available.

``There are three, maybe four, linebackers,'' Casserly said. ``It thins out a lot after that.''

The loss of free-agent cornerback Tom Carter to Chicago leaves the Redskins thin - and old - in the secondary. Cris Dishman, 30, takes Carter's place opposite 37-year-old Darrell Green, but what about the future?

Opinions vary, but it seems a good bet the Redskins could pluck a worthy first-rounder from this year's talent pool.

``If we took eight defensive players, I wouldn't be disappointed,'' Casserly said. ``I don't see us doing that. More likely, the only two positions we'll stay away from are quarterback and running back. Anyone else is fair game.'' ILLUSTRATION: SKINS DRAFT

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