Safety First for Raiders : Pro football: After picking Texas A&M;’s Bates to help fill Lott’s spot, they raise eyebrows with choice of Hobert.

Having lost Ronnie Lott, the Raiders selected safety Patrick Bates of Texas A&M; in the first round of Sunday’s draft.

Having apparently lost faith in Todd Marinovich, the Raiders selected quarterback Billy Joe Hobert of Washington in the third round.

Later in the third round, the Raiders took defensive back James Trapp of Clemson.

The acquisition of Bates was expected. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder, who lettered as a freshman at UCLA in 1989 before transferring to Texas A&M;, is expected to challenge second-year man Derrick Hoskins for the safety position opened up when Lott, a free agent, jumped to the New York Jets.

Raider Coach Art Shell said he could envision using Bates at cornerback or even at linebacker in some situations, in addition to safety.

“We’re excited about having him on our football team,” Shell said. “He’s such a big explosive guy. He reminds you a little of (Steve) Atwater or Dennis Smith, but he has the ability to cover.”

Although he has plenty of ability, Bates, 22, also has enough wisdom to know that a rookie can’t be expected to replace a Ronnie Lott, the emotional leader of the Raider defense.

“Those aren’t just big shoes to fill,” Bates said. “Those are boats to fill.”

Bates intends to try to fill them with as much knowledge and preparation as possible. Much like Lott, Bates is known for his hitting ability and his skill as an open-field tackler. He has read Lott’s book and hopes to meet the former Raider and San Francisco 49er in the near future.

“If you see him, tell him I’d like to talk to him,” Bates told reporters.

Drafting 12th on the first round, the Raiders figured the only team ahead of them that might go after Bates was the Atlanta Falcons.

When Atlanta went for Washington offensive lineman Lincoln Kennedy, Bates was a Raider.

The second round was a little tricky. Originally, the Raiders had the 41st pick overall, but they traded it to the 49ers for a second-round choice (the 56th overall) and a third-round selection (81st overall).

The Raiders passed twice. Then, with the 58th pick, they raised some eyebrows by taking Hobert, a 6-2, 234-pounder.

With an apparent need for help at linebacker and three quarterbacks already on their team--four if you count Jay Schroeder, an unrestricted free agent who won’t be back--it was not thought that the Raiders were in the market for that position.

Jeff Hostetler, the free agent from the New York Giants who signed a three-year, $7.5-million contract with the Raiders, is clearly No. 1.

Beyond that, nothing is clear. Vince Evans ended last season as the backup, but he will be 38 when he comes to training camp this summer.

Marinovich, a first-round pick two years ago from USC, was the starter for seven games last season, but he fell out of favor because of his inconsistency on the field, and, according to Raider sources, his wild life off it.

Has Marinovich dropped all the way from first to fourth on the depth chart?

“We are going to go with four quarterbacks,” Shell said, “and bring along the two young guys. He (Marinovich) is one of our young guys. He has to prove he can play at this level.”

Marinovich is not the only one with something to prove. Hobert was kicked off the Washington team last season after it was learned he had accepted a $50,000 interest-free loan.

“We don’t feel any problem he had in the past is going to be a problem for us,” Shell said. “We feel he’ll be fine.”

So does Hobert, who moved to Phoenix in January with his wife and daughter to begin preparing for his new life as a pro.

“Man, what a great opportunity for me,” Hobert said of his selection by the Raiders. “I’m grateful they gave me an opportunity to get on with my life.

“My off-field antics are something I have put out of my mind. That made me a better person. It taught me you can’t get away with anything. It’s past history. I’m done with being a hotshot, big-mouth guy. I’m ready to be supportive. I’m ready to be a team player.”

Hobert won’t be the first player with a checkered past to be given a chance for rehabilitation by the Raiders.

“I fit the Raider mold pretty well,” Hobert agreed. “Just win, baby. That’s the way I’ve always lived my life.”

To get Trapp, the Raiders moved up in the third round, exchanging spots with the Green Bay Packers to go from the 81st pick overall to the 72nd. For that, Green Bay received the Raiders’ sixth-round pick.

Raider Selections

1. Patrick Bates, S, Texas A&M;, 6-3, 220.

A defensive back, Bates is thought to have the quickness to play either safety or cornerback along with the hitting ability to play linebacker. He is an excellent open-field tackler.

3. Billy Joe Hobert, QB, Washington, 6-2, 234.

He has a quick dropback and the flexibility to run if necessary. As a thrower, he is known for his accuracy.

3. James Trapp, CB/S, Clemson, 6-0, 180.

He has the versatility to play all positions in the secondary and the speed to have been a track star in college. Also plays on special teams.