NEW YORK -- Al Davis, the Oakland Raiders' owner often accused of playing by his own rules, is now getting help from the NFL in doing it.

In the wake of an unusual agreement between the NFL Management Council and Players Association, Davis will get a compensatory pick, 31st overall, at the end of the first round when the NFL draft opens today.

That's because the Kansas City Chiefs came to agreement late Thursday night with Oakland defensive lineman Chester McGlockton on a five-year, $30 million deal after the league decided a team signing him would only have to surrender a second-round choice instead of No. 1 and No. 2 picks.

It was no surprise that Davis declined to match the Chiefs' offer for McGlockton, who has been an unhappy underachiever with the Raiders.

That didn't stop the Chiefs from outbidding the Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos for him. The Chiefs also signed former Pro Bowl defensive end Leslie O'Neal, who has been one of the NFL's finest pass rushers during an 11-year career with San Diego and St. Louis.

Meanwhile, the teams at the top of the second round who will be pushed down a spot, are furious with the ruling. They can't figure out why the Chiefs simply didn't have to give up first- and second-round picks for McGlockton.

"I don't believe ever before has the integrity of the draft been compromised this way," said Bill Polian, the general manager of the Indianapolis Colts, who have the first pick in the second round.

"To have our preparation disrupted four days before the draft is unheard of it's just typical of people who don't know anything about football getting involved."

Polian's criticism of the league office is significant because he's been a close ally of commissioner Paul Tagliabue and once worked in the league office.

It's unclear why the league made the deal. The league didn't announce the agreement, but simply sent a memo to the clubs.

Harold Henderson, the league's director of labor relations, didn't return a phone call and a league spokesman said it was a matter of bargaining with the union.

The dispute stemmed from the fact that in the new contract extension, a "franchise" player will have his salary guaranteed.

But this year's franchise players were designated before the extension was reached. Davis balked at guaranteeing McGlockton's salary, even though several teams agreed to honor the guarantees, including the Ravens with Wally Williams' $3 million salary.

The draft is expected to start with the Indianapolis Colts selecting quarterback Peyton Manning, but Polian won't confirm that.

"We still have questions to be answered," he insisted. "We're going to leave no stone unturned."

Manning and Ryan Leaf are expected to go with the first two picks by Indianapolis and San Diego. Andre Wadsworth and Charles Woodson figure to go with the next two by Arizona and Oakland.

After that, it's anybody guess.

Pub Date: 4/18/98