Draft needs

[Attyla]

If the draft were to start tomorrow, and the lineup of the team remained consistant, it is obvious the team has some holes that need addressing and here are some thoughts on the subject

QB: Well, this one is tricky. Gradkowski is the guy you obviously want to get a chance, and with Frye as a back up, two journeymen with talent are not a bad combination. But, even in his wins, Gradkowski was inconsistant at times and does not have great range. Russell is a walking disaster, but there is a lot invested in the position in just him....possibility: 5% early rounds, 90% late rounds.

RB: Lot of talent in the backfield, and with Bush, Fargas and McFadden as the anchors, there is little doubt the Raiders will not even think about the position. Possibility: Zero for the draft

WR: Where do you start....Um there is potential here, but certainly not one guy stands out. Schillens is good for what he is, and Murphy has potential, but there is not one guy on this unit that puts fear into any DB in the league. Bey has been a disaster thus far, but an expensive one. Barring a free agent, I would expect at least a look at the position: Possiblity: 10% early rounds, 70% late rounds

TE: Miller is the center piece, and while he is a good route runner with good hands, his blocking is sometimes lacking. The Raiders do use blocking TE's in the system, so it is possible to see them take one, but then again, blocking TE's are a dime a dozen in free agency. Possibility: Zero for the draft

Offensive Line: You can never have enough, either solid starters or developmental players. Never is the word. The Raiders line will go through some changes this year, and I do expect revamping of several players. 99% early rounds, 99% late rounds. Expect at least two drafted.

Defensive Line: This is a Clint Eastwood movie: The good, the bad and the ugly. We have some really good guys at this position, and some real dogs. I would expect at least one to be drafted, but more in the mid to late rounds. 10% early rounds, 80% late rounds

Linebacker: Big time need. My personal choice for first round pick, although I dont expect that to happen. Lot of speed at the position, but no real threat. 90% early rounds, 10% late rounds

Safety: Not sure here, I would expect at least some thought to FS, but for some reason, I expect Huff to get another chance, so I will go: 5% early rounds, 60% late rounds

Corner: This is Al Davis' team, so this is a manditory pick. Now, we have one really good one, and one really inconsistant one, so this will be a mid draft pick, somewhere around 3-4th round. Possibility: Is there a number over 100%?

Ideal world:
priorities in this order
linebacker
o-line
receiver
corner
safety

But what do I know? Thoughts?

[MWR]

Out of 22 starters, probably 3/4 of them would not be starting for any other NFL team. So anything should help. Maybe Big Al wants to go into the 0-11 defense, 11 db on the field at once.

[Attyla]

Several have us taking Bruce Campbell (OT) in the first. I doubt he is the guy, certainly not polished enough for a first rounder, but I can see him in the second if he fell that far, and based on 17 games, I would think he should fall that far...but he wont. Someone will over value the raw talent he has.

[~OG~]

Brian Price would be my choice if we traded down a few spots.

[Attyla]

Honestly, if it was me, I would trade for Brandon Marshall. We screw up the first pick so often it holds no value to me as a fan. Get a sure thing and get a receiver who can play....then load linemen and linebackers up and get tougher, nastier and use the money wisely....but I am just talking

[Swoosh23]

The majority or the mock drafts out there have us taking either an OT or a Fast pass rushing DE in the first.

My personal choice would be DT, but its pretty obvious Suh and McCargo will be gone, so I would take a shot at Dan Williams from Ten.

I think our needs in order are:
DT
OL
LB
QB
CB
S

[Hollywood_Filth]

S is not a need. Raiders have three quality players at S in Mitchell, Huff, and Branch. When you consider that we have drafted S in back to back drafts their is no way in hell we are taking a S.

Reciever is not going to be a position that we address either, unless of course we are looking to get a part time wr that can upgrade the return game. We just spent the last two years drafting three receivers: Bey, Murphy, and Schilens.

I could see us addressing the following positions:

OT
OG
NT
OLB
MLB.

I doubt we take Bruce Campell. If anybody it may be the tackles from Rutgers, or possibilty even the Polynesian Kid that can play either guard or tackle. We are looking for a Right Tackle that can play just based on us going to a power system.

Don't rule out running back. Fargas is on the last year of his contract, Bush is currently on the fourth year of probably his five year deal. I personally would take Blount from Oregon in round four or five. He is perfect for a power system. He isn't a soft runner either.

[Attyla]

Huff has been hit and miss....depth with the position in the 6th or 7th would not suprise me

[Hollywood_Filth]

Originally Posted by Attyla

Huff has been hit and miss....depth with the position in the 6th or 7th would not suprise me

Prior to this past season, Huff was a lost cause on the field. However, he played much better this season. If anything, I think we may target a nickel corner.

[Attyla]

interchangable in my mind, if we go with one in the final two rounds, it will not matter as much on position as franklly who is faster in Al's eyes