Raiders Draft Review: Al Davis Wants More Speed...On the Field That is.

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

Raider fans went into the draft knowing that Al Davis loves to draft for speed.

And Al Davis sure didn't disappoint.

With 5 (or arguably 6) players drafted solely for their speed, Al Davis added speed to areas on the field in which the Raiders...well, already had speed!

Round 1, Pick 7 - Darrius Heyward-Bey

This is a pick that many Raider fans opposed at first, then quickly switched their tune about. Well, i still oppose it!

Bey is very fast. The fastest in the draft most say. But If you can't run routes, then you HAVE to be fast to catch the ball, and even if you do blow by the defense, well you still have to catch the ball. Bey couples his sub-par route running skills with inconsistent hands. He is fast, NOT quick! His initial burst off the line is not impressive. He is definitely a 3-4 year project if he wants to become a full-time WR. If not i can see him being a Devery Hendersen type player, who seems to either have 3 catches for 120 yrds, or nothing.

Round 2, Pick 47 - Michael Mitchell

After the Raiders selected Bey, Raider fans had hoped they would make it up with a solid second round pick. Instead, the they drafted a guy who ESPN didn't have a single highlight to show of the guy. Leaving most fans shaking their heads, some fans yelling profanities at their TV's (guilty), and a few fans experiencing sudden heart pains.

Like Bey, many fans have begun to come around to this pick. After regaining consciousness, Raider fans quickly found themselves Googeling, and Youtubing Michael Mitchell and stumbling across a Highlight tape that appeased them. In the film he shows that he is a big hitter with big play ability. But news flash raider fans, IT IS A HIGHLIGHT TAPE! They are supposed to WOW you.

Nonetheless, I have turned the corner on Mitchell too. But not just off his highlight tape alone. In 4 years at Ohio University, he tallied 212 Tackles (including 14.5 for a loss), 3 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 7 Int's, and 13 Pass Deflections. He also ran a reported 4.40 at his pro day. With his big play ability Mitchell could turn out to be a force at the SS position for the Raiders. Which would allow Huff to go back to FS. With a lot of work he has the potential to be a bigger Bob Sanders.

Round 3, Pick 71 - Matt Shaughnessy

Matt got mixed reviews at his pro day. Some said he is going to be a stand up DE, while some said he didn't have the agility to be a stand up DE. Other teams insisted he would be a LB, while some said he is to stiff. At the East-West shrine practices, he played with his hands down at the DE spot. And even though he lacked the burst the scouts were looking for, he impressed some with his strength as he repeatedly got past Linemen using his strong hands.

This probably means that he could possibly have a future at the DE spot for a 4-3 scheme such as the raiders. They could use another threat coming off the end opposite Burgess.

Round 4, Pick 124 - Louis Murphy

Commented on as being a, 'Track Sprinter with good hands.' Sounds like a Raider guy to me. He ran a 4.32 at the Combine which immediately put him on Al Davis's radar.

He is another tall receiver at 6'3, and has been reported as being sure handed by some scouts. With other tall receivers on the Raiders (Javon Walker 6'3, Chaz Schillens 6'4, and Drew Carter 6'3) Murphy cannot just rely on his speed and height to make the roster.

With Heyward-Bey and Murphy, the Raider WR corps looks like this: Walker, Schillens, Higgins, Bey, Carter, Murphy, Watkins, Holland, and Shields. Expect that list to be trimmed to 5 or 6, with the Bey and Higgins the only sure shots at making the depth chart.

Round 4, Pick 126 - Slade Norris

Slade was scouted at being a Hybrid type of player. Moving from OLB to DE depending on the package. With Hybrid utilized mainly in 3-4 schemes, he will most likely be looked at to compete for an OLB spot.

In college Slade Norris was as versatile as they come. He started his career off with Oregon St. at the safety position. Before the end of the 2007 season he was moved to defensive end, and before the end of his career started at outside linebacker.

I look for Slade to make an immediate impact on special teams for the Raiders, and before seasons end, make a few appearances at the weakside OLB position. The Raiders tried every option they had at this spot last season and didn't address it in free agency.

Round 6, Pick 199 - Stryker Sulak

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