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With 25 days left before the NFL Draft, it is time to take a look at what the Oakland Raiders could be planning to do with their five picks. As of right now they don't have a pick in the fifth or sixth rounds due to trades, so they have to make the most of the picks that they do have.
Much of the hype and hoopla surrounds the first round pick, where the Raiders have the seventh selection, but they should be able to get quality players their first three picks. Their fourth pick could potentially yield a starter as well, depending on how they play their cards. Here are a few scenarios as to how the Raiders draft could play out for the first three rounds depending on their first pick.
Scenario 1:
Round 1: Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech
This is a popular first round pick, as he would be a definite added threat for JaMarcus Russell.
Round 2: Ron Brace, DT Boston College
Brace would be the defensive tackle presence that would upgrade the Raiders run defense immensely.
Round 3: Chip Vaughn, S Wake Forest
With Wilson gone, the Raiders are periously thin at safety and Vaughn would be a starter right away.
This would be a very good take for the Raiders first day, as they would get the blue chip playmaker, and fill two gaping holes on defense.
Scenario 2:
Round 1: BJ Raji, DT Boston College
The Raiders need a force in the middle of the defensive line, and Raji is the best defensive tackle on the board.
Round 2: Darius Heyward-Bey, WR Maryland
Heyward-Bey was the darling of the NFL combine and he shot up draft boards. If the Raiders don't go for Crabtree, Davis could select him, as Davis is known to love the 'combine freaks.'
Round 3: Chip Vaughn, S Wake Forest
This scenario only swaps the first two picks, and the Raiders would still address the same three needs. If Raji is on the board, the Raiders need to make that move to solidify the line.
Scenario 3:
Round 1: Michael Oher, OT Ole Miss
Perhaps the Raiders can't pass up the big offensive tackle. Mario Henderson looked good in limited time, but it remains to be seen what he can do over the long term. Khalif Barnes was only brought in for a one year deal, and Erik Pears missed all of 08 with an injury. Keeping Russell upright is of paramount importance.
Round 2: Ron Brace, DT Boston College
Defensive tackle must be addressed in one of the first two rounds.
Round 3: Chip Vaughn, S Wake Forest
The third round pick should be a safety.
This scenario would see the Raiders bring reinforcements along their lines, and winning in the trenches is how to win a football game.
Scenario 4:
This scenario involves Al Davis doing something he doesn't normally do, and that is trade down. If Crabtree is on the board, the Raiders could make a deal with the Eagles where Philly would move up and the Raiders would get picks 21 and 28.
Round 1a: Robert Ayres, DE Tennessee
The Raiders need to reinforce their line. Ayres would help the line become much stronger against the run.
Round 1b: Peria Jerry, DT Ole Miss
Jerry ran a 4.9 40, which combined with his 305lbs would be a definite upgrade on the inside of the Raiders defensive line
Round 2: Darius Heyward-Bey WR Maryland
Round 3: Chip Vaughn, S Wake Forest
This would be an instant improvement to the Raiders Defense, and give the Raiders a young playmaking wide receiver.
With the seventh pick, there are six teams ahead of the Raiders that could throw a monkey wrench in those plans. However, any of these scenarios would make the Raiders a much better team over the long term.
Comments
Nice read Pat. But I just don't like Heyward-Bey. He;s strictly a speedster, but that's why he is an obvious choice. I'd take Hakeem Nicks or Brian Robiskie before Bey.
There is another receiver out there, from LSU: Demetrious Byrd. He can stretch the field and will probably be there in the third. The Raiders really need to address their defensive line, and the safety position.
Didn't you say you heard some rumblings tat they may take a ZBS OT? That might be what they do in the 2nd after all Pat, considering that Barnes is on a 1 year deal for a reason. He is another project that I feel Al will keep a close eye on after the Harris explosion.
Actually I like Scenario 2 the most. I could live with Scenario 1. In other words I think the raiders really could use Raji. I really like Chip Vaughn, S Wake Forest in the 3rd also.
The team would be much better off with option 4 because it gives the Raiders an additonal top notch player.
Good commentary. I lean towards scenario #1 thinking Walker won't be back next year, and Al has yet to make any moves on the D-line. I would not rule out an OT at #7 or a trade to get Alex Mack.
Scenario #1 works for me just fine. Come the night of the draft and if that is what we have accomplished, then I think we'd all take it...
It would be cool to get Vaughn DT and Crabtree.
What about Fili Moala in the second? He could easily add 15 more pounds. Could be a run stuffer like his cousin Holati Ngata. If we go reciever it needs to be Crabtree or Robiskie. JLH is the speedster and adding another would be stupid(but we all know al).
1. Any of the top OL except Smith from Arkansas
2. Fili Moala
3. Chip Vaughn
I see scenario #1 as most likely but I really hope the Raiders can avoid taking a receiver at all in this draft. A trade down would allow them to get Alex Mack and a top-flight linebacker in the first, then continue with Brace and Vaughn (or Chris Clemons, S, from Clemson). Then package a late-round pick in 2010 and the seventh rounder for a defensive end in the 5th or 6th round.
Great mocks, but i think in the first round Maclin might be in the picture and in the second round Lt William Beatty might be in the picture. Imagine if Beatty, henderson, and crabtree developed in two years. I would not be happy with Maclin at all. I think Crabtree is just a talent which is almost impossible to pass on. Not to say Maclin is bad, but he is nowhere near crabtree. defense wins championships and we need Run defense more than anything. so i don't think Maclin is worth taking over a defensive player. Crabtree on the other hand would be a perfect fit with Mcfadden, Bush, Russell, Higgins, Schilnez and Miller. But maclin would be another speedy receiver on our staff that wouldn't make a difference for a couple years. Then i don't see Ron Brace falling to us. Everyone now is big on DT and haynsworth's contract proves it. Plus i don't see him as a fit. He's just another big body that gets no penetration with Bj Raji next to him. Our problem on the def line was no penetration. This guy had 2.5 sacks in COLLEGE.
#1 trade down...if not....#1 bj raji hands down, he consistantly plays on the opponents side of the football!"blows up plays" he doesnt need to sack Qb's he opens holes for others to make plays. i've seen plays where he could have taken the handoff instead of the runner!
You have pretty good scenarios except for thinking Bey will be available in the 2nd round. There is no way he is available by then. If they are looking for a WR in Rd 2 then the top WR by then will probably be B Robiskie of OSU.
Here's my mock, looks like you have a 3rd rounder that I've.
1.) M.Crabtree - (WR)- Move the chains and convert 3rd downs.
2.) M.Johnson - (DE) - Athletic freak that Davis would love to have. Not sure if he'll last to the 2nd round, but if he does, look for Davis to trade up into early 2nd, IMO.
3.) C.Vaughn - (SS) - This would enable us to put Branch at FS, where I think he could flourish.
4.) T.Canfield - (RG) - Nasty guard from Cincinnati. He would be a good backup for right now, but I'm not totally convinced about Carlisle's play.
7.) Ra'Shon Harris - (DT/NT) - Would be a good development type of project for the Raiders, plus adding a run-stuffer would be nice for a change at the DT position.
this would be great if chip falls all the way to the third round
Hello Patrick.
Of all those scenarios I liked the first one. Although, I do have a question. How do you know Oakland will draft Chip Vaughn?? Just because the Raiders paid him a visit doesnt mean they'll draft him.
I really hope the Raiders draft Michael Crabtree, or TRADE UP and get Aaron Curry. It looks as though our D-Linemen will be given another year together, so an outstanding LB to join with Morrison and Howard would be toodles!!! I liked the scenarios presented, well done ol chap!!!
I PLACE MY VOTE FOR SCENARIO #1!!!
Also Scenario 3 wasnt bad. Weakest of them all was scenario 4.
Thanks Patrick, work well done.
trade down to 20 with the lions and pick up there 2nd rounder
1) WR Michael Crabtree
2) DT Ron Brace
2) DE Michael Johnson
3) OLB Marcus Freeman
4) S Darcel McBath
I meant maclin at 20 not crabtree
I like senerio 4 except for the players.
Rnd. #1: Trade picks with Eagles or Lions (1st and 2nd)Draft Malcolm Jenkins. He can play Safety and Corner, has good hands, is strong against the run, and is a sure tackler.
Rnd. #2a: DT Ron Brace. The Raiders need a DT that can eat up blockers at the point of attack so Kelly and company can blow up running plays and pressure the QB.
Rnd. #2b: WR best available
Rnd. #3: LB Marcus Freeman. Combines stong run defense and blitzing ability with adaquate pass defense.
Rnd. #4: OT Jaimie Thomas. 3 year starter at Left OT for Maryland. Never missed a game.
they should take heyward-bey and then go for d-line and o-line help
select heyward-bey then go defense
How About This:
Round 1 Wr Michael Crabtree
Round 2 De Michael Johnson
Round 3 S Chip Vaughn
IM hoppen that its the first 1 because that would be n the top picks of the day and still we would have 3 potential starts with those 3 picks
Scenario 2 would benefit us the best, we need DT bad, raji is the animal we need. If bey is their cool,I doubt it though. What happened to arman shields or chaz schilens? They should be healthy by now? Right? When jamarcus has time he kills it and even when he didnt have time he did good (look at last six games). I'm not worried Mr. Davis and the Raiders will have a good draft this year, last years wasn't too shabby..... GO RAIDERS!!!!! GOOD COLUMN PAT..
It all starts in the trenches so if we are serious about winning we had better get it over with now and get a run stuffer on DE and great O lineman. I know of a lot of good players that were found in later rounds and besides that we already have players primed and ready. I'm tired of high expectation and low output!!!!!!!!
I wish we would trade down and get an extra pick or 2. I also wish we would trade Fargas,
while he has some value. He's gotten hurt every
year (college and pro). We will be just fine with Bush and Dmac.
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