Team Needs
Team Needs:
DT
OG
WR
QB
OT
DE
SS
The Skinny: Ahh, the Raiders. What the Raiders really need are some players who can run really fast but not play football. Well, I guess that's what crypt-keeper Al Davis would tell you anyway, that is if he had a rare lucid moment. Oakland has tried in recent years to put their QB of the future in place with Jamarcus Russell, tried to line up their "stud" WR in Darrius Heyward-Bey, and tried to acquire their franchise RB in Darren McFadden. So far results have been poor at best. Davis reportedly does not want to give up on Russell yet, which is a mistake. Heyward-Bey showed nothing in his rookie season. And McFadden has shown flashes but spent most of his first two years on the sidelines with injuries. The Raiders have some talent on defense, but they're aging at key spots. And the OL could use a nice talent boost, as well. Basically, it wouldn't surprise us to see the Raiders select any player at any position at any time of the draft. How's that for unpredictability?
4/15 Update: The Raiders traded for DE/OLB Kamerion Wimbley. They parted ways with RB Justin Fargas, WR Javon Walker, DT Gerard Warren, and DE Greg Ellis.
Mock Draft
1
-8.
OT
Bryan Bulaga,
Iowa
The Skinny: Oakland would love to land one of the top defensive tackles, and we aren't ruling out the possibility of Gerald McCoy falling in their lap. Assuming that doesn't happen, what Al Davis is going to do is anyone's guess. Defensive or offensive tackle seems like the logical choice.
2
-7.
RB
Toby Gerhart,
Stanford
The Skinny: This probably makes little sense with Darren McFadden on the roster…but it's Al Davis we are talking about here. Toby doesn't have far to travel to his new team.