Closing statement on the Oakland Raiders 2009 NFL draft

April 24, 1:00 AMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

Previous Next

18 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Oakland Raiders Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

The Raider Nation will be in force on draft day.

---

Related Articles

• Opening statement on the draft
  
• Final look at the potential top picks
  
• Multiple draft scenarios
  
• Highest priorities for the Raiders
  
• Building an offensive team

On March 3rd I gave my opening statement on the draft. Since then, the Oakland Raiders needs have been analyzed, and the potential picks and scenarios have been picked over. It all comes down to what will happen tomorrow afternoon, and that will set the stage for Sunday.

This is an important draft for the Raiders, as they have been under the radar with their free agency moves. By eschewing the veterans available, they have raised the prominance of the draft in their rebuilding project. The Raiders have to score big with their picks and garner three starters if they hope to be competitive in the 2009 season.

The Raiders need to reinforce their defensive line. There is no two ways about that. The defensive tackle position is the single biggest void both in importance and the size of the players. Having a playmaker on the interior of the defensive line would make the entire Raiders defense much better.

The Raiders are paper thin at safety, but this position will likely be filled with the Raiders third round pick. There are several safeties who are expected to be around in that position.

There is a great debate inside the Raider Nation whether or not wide receiver is a priority. The raw numbers would say yes, as the wide receivers had minimal production. However, much of the blame can be placed upon the horrendous play at the ofensive tackle position. The Raiders addressed the tackle situation in free agency, but they may opt for one of the top offensive tackles in the draft.

There does not seem to be the usual defined hierarchy to the top ten, and there are many variations that can take place tomorrow, and each of them will have ripple effects up and down the draft board.

DRAFT COVERAGE:

I will be covering the first day of the draft from the Oakland Raiders Booster Club draft party at Ricky's Sports Theater and Bar in San Leandro, California. I will be posting throughout the day from Ricky's with news and Raider Nation reactions, with a complete write up Saturday Night. Also, Thoughts from the Dark Side will be publishing continual updates during the draft.

Day two of the draft, I will be reporting from Oakland Raiders headquarters in Alameda. I will be publishing updates throughout the day. Also, I will be working with Thoughts from the Dark Side, which will also be publishing updates throughout the day.

I will be posting pictures and videos from both days of the draft, so keep checking back throughout both days of the draft. I will. be posting.