Are The Oakland Raiders Preparing To Trade Down

This year, things seem different for the Raiders. 

Whether it be from the recent election, or the inner workings of the Raiders organization, change is in the air.

The Raiders have been consevative in there signings. No big name signings, just a few bargain offensive linemen. They have not overpaid for any free agents, something you've come to expect from the Raiders organization. 

I'm not even sure this is the same team that signed Tommy Kelly, Deangelo Hall and Javon Walker to blockbuster deals only a year ago.

Now we are coming up on the draft. It's time for combines, pro-days and visits from various draft prospects.

But wait, none of the top 10 prospects likely to be drafted by the Raiders have even been scheduled, or have visited the Raiders, while nearly all of them have visited the nearby 49ers.

B.J. Raji, Michael Oher, Andre Smith, Jeremy Maclin and Michael Crabtree have all paid, or are scheduled to pay, a visit to the 49ers. Logically they should do the same for the Raiders, as the Raiders facility is less than an hour away. 

Are there any reasonable explainations for the lack of top 10 prospects visiting the Raiders? 

Yes, there are many. 

It is possible that these players and their agents agreed not to tell the media of their meetings with the Raiders, but when they enter the Raider facility, they are likely to be recognized.  

Is it possible the Raiders are holding workouts for these player in a location other than the Raiders practice facility? 

Regardless, this is highly unlikely, and isn't the way the NFL works.

One more possibility is that the Raiders already know who they will draft, and interviews at the combine pro days, and senior day, were enough for them to make their decision. 

This too is highly unlikely, as there is no way to predict who will be there when it is the Raiders turn to pick.

With a limit of 30 visits, why not have that first rounder come by. 

Especially when you only have five picks in this draft. Five first round prospects, minimum, should visit the Raiders.

It is also possible that they just havent visited the Raiders yet. 

But why would someone go to Santa Clara for one day, then travel cross country to visit other teams, then come back to visit the Raiders in Alameda.

It makes no sense to me.

Then there's the possibility that the Raiders won't be picking in the top 10. 

It is quite possible they will trade down.

This is the real reason no top-10 prospect has visited the Raiders, while a half-dozen have visited our neighbors across the bay. Sure, a lot of people say Al Davis doesn't trade down, but this isn't true.

He just hasn't done it in the first round. 

There are many trade partners for this. Philly has two late first rounders, and may miss out on what they need if the stay there. 

The Bengals have 11 picks total, and may package a few second and third rounders for the number seven.

Other teams include Minnesota, New Orleans, or even a team who doesn't seem interested in trading down.

Is it possible that this is the plan Tom Cable has told reporters he has in place, but has been so secretive of?