Should The Raiders Trade The #8 Pick?

     With the NFL draft less than 2 weeks away most Raiders fans are wondering who the Raiders will add.  There are many options, but no guarntees available at the # 8 spot where the Raiders are planned to pick.  And with the Raiders lack of participation in the free agent market, they have many of the same problems that troubled them last year in a 5-11 season. 

     They haven't bulked up the middle of the defense, they haven't improved the offensive line, they haven't found a counterpart for Nnamdi Asomugha and they haven't brought in more QBs for competition.

     The Raiders can't solve all these problems with the #8 pick, they can only try to find one answer.  And with the way the last 3 first round picks have worked out... this may continue that trend of another high-paid player who fails to reach his potential in a timely manner. 

     So should the Raiders trade this pick...here's why they should.  They can get a proven player like Richard Seymour or Donovan McNabb, except make sure he wants to play for the Raiders and sign him to an extension.  The Raiders would not be gambling on a college prospect who will take a few years to grow, if he ever grows. 

      Here's why they should keep the pick.  Bruce Campbell, Jimmy Clausen, Rolando McClain, Trent Williams, Dez Bryant and other good looking kids who could, not guarnteed, but could help this team. 

     So what do I think Oakland should do?  Trade the pick to the 49ers for their 2-1st rounders.  This would benefit both teams.  The Raiders have more needs than the 49ers and the 49ers could find the player who gets the team back to the top of the NFC West.