Predicting the top of the draft from Oakland Raiders perspective

April 7, 1:56 AMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

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Who will the Raider Nation cheer for next year?
Photo by Patrick A. Patterson/TFDSsports.com

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With the Oakland Raiders having the seventh pick in the draft, now is a good time to take a look at the teams who are ahead of them and what their needs are to get a clearer picture of who will be in the green room when the Raiders place the call to the commissioner to make their selection.

#1 Detroit Lions: With the top pick, the Lions' selection will obviously reverberate on down the line. They could go in several directions with this pick, as an 0-16 team obviously has a lot of needs. The early speculation had them taking the consensus best player in the draft linebacker Aaron Curry with that pick. However, their recent trade to acquire Julian Peterson from the Seattle Seahawks likey killed that move. Matthew Stafford is a possibility for them here, if they subscribe to the notion that states that if a team doesn't have a franchise quarterback, they have to take one. The more likely pick seems to be left tackle Jason Smith.

#2 St Louis Rams: The Rams are likely holding their breath and hoping that Smith is still on the board. With their release of long time Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace, the Rams have a major hole to fill there. Assuming Smith his gone, the Rams could look to Curry to bolster their defense. Prior to his precombine injury, this was seen as a potential landing spot for Michael Crabtree to replace the departed Torry Holt. Expect that they may make some calls to see if teams want to move up a few slots, but they will end up picking Eugene Monroe.

#3 Kansas City Chiefs: Todd Haley could be entertaining thoughts of taking Michael Crabtree to attempt to replicate the twin receiving threats he had in Arizona. Had they not pulled the trigger on the Matt Cassell deal, Stafford would have been a real possibility. In the end, they will bolster their linebacking corps by grabbing Aaron Curry.

#4 Seattle Seahawks: The early speculation had the 'Hawks all but fitting Michael Crabtree's jersey. However, their signing of T.J. Houshmandzadeh from the Bengals changed that. With Matt Hasselbeck not getting any younger, a falling Matt Stafford could be a tempting target. In the end, the 'Hawks take the third offensive tackle off the table when they get Michael Oher to be the heir apparent to Walter Jones.

#5 Cleveland Browns: With Aaron Curry off the board, Brian Orapko becomes a no-brainer pick. Eric Mangini is looking to install a 3-4 defense, and Orapko will be his pass rushing outside linebacker.

#6 Cincinatti Bengals: With T.J. gone, and Chad Johnson-OchoCinco chronically complaining about the organization they draft Michael Crabtree.

If the top six goes like this, the Raiders best move would be B.J. Raji. With the positive test nothing more than a rumor at this point, it is a non-issue. Raji would give the Raiders' defense a much needed force in the middle

Other possibilities:

Jeremy Maclin-WR- Maclin hurt himself with his slower than expected 40 time at the combine, and he measured a full two inches shorter than his advertised height. Davis likes his players to be physical specimens, and likes bigger receivers. Unless he sees Maclin as Cliff Branch II, he will not be a Raider.

Michael Johnson-DE- Johnson had a great combine, which is usually thought of as the fastest way to catch Al Davis's eye. However, Davis passed on the combine freak defensive end last season, and Vernon Gholston ended up a Jet.

Andre Smith-T- There are questions abound about Smth's work ethic. Once upon a time, that would be the kind of player who would thrive in the Silver and Black, however Coach Tom Cable seems committed to getting guys on the team who will work hard.

Friday night I will expand this to a full one round mock draft.