2010 Mock Draft: Rebuilding the Oakland Raiders in Three Days!

Yet Another Mock Draft!

Many people, including myself, have suggested hundreds of draft day options for the ailing Oakland Raiders. Some make great sense, address all the team needs, and are potential home run ideas.

Others...not so much!

Those of you that read my articles or comments regularly know that I have been advocating for the Raiders to draft Rolando McClain with the eighth overall pick. I've been very vocal about this and would argue my position with anyone.

Until...

A regular reader on B/R pointed out some interesting flaws in the game of Rolando McClain. "Sons of Blanda" pointed out that McClain was taking plays off, and "loli-gagging" in certain situations. He backed it up with a video reference.

After seeing that video, and hours of research, I discovered he was right. This made me realize that my thought of what the Raiders should do in the draft has changed.

This article is a follow up to several of my articles. The most recent of these is called, "2010 NFL Draft: Oakland Raiders' options at No. 8 " and deals solely with the Raiders' eighth overall pick.

This article will go beyond that, covering the entire draft. I will create a mock draft from the eighth overall pick, to the compensatory 251st pick in the seventh round.

I will not be suggesting any trades up or down. I'm working on the assumption that the Raiders will keep the picks they have and use them to draft the players they need.

While reading this article, keep one thing in mind. I will be selecting players based on what I perceive as the best thing for the improvement of the Oakland Raiders, not what I think Al Davis will actually do.

We all know that some one attempting to make their money predicting Al Davis' actions will go broke pretty quick!

Let's get on with it then...

With the eighth pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders select...

Offensive tackle, Trent Williams-University of Oklahoma.

Williams is widely considered the second best tackle in the draft behind only Oklahoma State's Russell Okung. Some scouts even rank Trent ahead of Okung. I'm not sure I agree with that, but to each their own.

Williams has all of the physical tools needed to be successful in the NFL. Great size at 6'5" and 318 pounds with great strength and long arms. Williams has the prototypical franchise left tackle body type.

It takes more to be a tackle than being the right physical specimen, it also takes technique. Trent showed at the combine that he has this as well. He possesses excellent feet, great agility, and by all accounts, a wonderful understanding of the game and his position.

There is no such thing as a "can't miss" pick, but considering the Raiders' need for a left tackle, Trent Williams is close enough.

With the 39th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders select...

Defensive tackle, Cam Thomas-University of North Carolina.

I know that I have advocated for the drafting of defensive tackle Jared Odrick of Penn State at this point in the draft, but after further research, I've come to like Thomas a bit more.

The Raiders need to add some "beef" in the middle of their defensive line to help Tommy Kelly and the linebackers out. At 6'3", 330 pounds, Thomas can certainly provide that.

After watching his game tape, he also possesses the skills required to play in the NFL. Solid at the point of attack, Cam can soak up double teams and allow the linebackers to roam free.

His relentless motor means that Thomas has the most important attribute for any NFL player...heart!

With the 69th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders select...

Inside Linebacker, Donald Butler-University of Washington.

Butler is one of those players you don't hear a lot about. Partly because he played on a bad Husky team, on the west coast, and in a highly under-rated conference, and partly because he's been over shadowed by other players at his position.

Donald put up good numbers at the combine; 4.61 40 yard dash, 35" vertical jump, and a 10'1" long jump. These are all adequate numbers, but not spectacular. This may be why his draft stock has fallen off a bit.

One thing that was spectacular about his performance was the bench press. Thirty-five repetitions of the standard 225 pound weight was better than all other linebackers, and all but four offensive linemen and only two defensive linemen.

The best thing about Donald Butler is the fact that he was always around the ball in 2009, despite the fact that he didn't get a lot of help from an inferior Husky defensive line. Watch the Washington 16-13 win over the USC Trojans, and you'll see all you need to know about Donald Butler.

With the 106th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders select...

Guard, Dennis Landolt-Penn State

Dennis possesses great agility and acceleration for a big man. He works well in space which makes him a nice fit for the zone blocking system of the Raiders. Landolt will be a quality back up right away, but also has starter potential.

He lacks ideal size to hold up against big bull rushers like Pat Williams and Albert Haynesworth, but if he can bulk up a little and refine his pass blocking skills, Dennis Landolt can push Cooper Carlisle for the starting right guard job.

In the meantime, he can provide quality depth to the Raiders' ailing offensive line.

With the 138th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders select...

Cornerback, A.J. Jefferson-Fresno State.

This is a player that has a ton of upside. Good size at just under 6'0" and 186 pounds, long arms, and great quickness. Jefferson showed good fluidity of motion and great man-to-man skills at the combine.

His weaknesses are in off-man and zone coverage. This shouldn't be a huge problem considering the Raiders' defensive scheme of almost all man coverage. His above average tackling skills will help with outside run support as well.

The fact that he can contribute right away as a kick returner will make A.J. Jefferson a very good value should Al Davis select him in the fifth round.

With the 158th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders select...

Center, Chris Hall-Texas

If heart were talent, Chris would be a first round pick! He sets up fast in pass protection and doesn't give up on his block. He's quick and agile enough to play well in space and on reach blocks.

He does a good job in passing off his blocks to the guards to maintain his spacial responsibility. He is very aware of what's going on around him and is great at picking up delayed blitzes and secondary pass rushers.

Chris Hall has all the intangibles anyone could hope for, and if he can get the coaching he needs to improve his drive blocking, he could challenge Sampson Satele and Chris Morris for the starting job in a season or two, maybe sooner.

With the 215th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders select...

Fullback, Matt Clapp-Oklahoma

Tough, nasty, and big are the best words to describe Matt Clapp. He was formed with an old "tough-guy" mold. He has shown absolutely no hesitation to deliver excessive force to defenders, and he does a good job maintaining position and control over the defender after contact.

Matt will not be making any great catches or juking anyone out of their shoes, but what he will do is run people over and struggle for every possible yard in an attempt to punish defenders in his role as a lead blocker/short yardage back.

If Matt Clapp can improve his pass blocking skills and work on his lateral movement, he could very well unseat Oren O'Neal as the starter by midseason.

With the 251st pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders select...          (Seventh round compensatory)

Offensive tackle, Thomas Welch-Vanderbilt

I really like the game film I saw on this guy. He is quick and agile enough to play in the zone blocking scheme and is great in pass protection. He recovers very well against double moves by defensive ends.

Welch needs to improve his lower body strength to help with his run blocking. He seems to understand scheme and position, but just doesn't seem to be strong enough to really drive the defender totally out of the play.

The weaknesses he has in run blocking and lower body strength can be improved. The benefit of having a more than adequate pass blocker providing depth will more than make up for the time he needs to fully develop.

So that's it!

I'm sure some of you are amazed by how crazy I am with these picks, but that's fine with me. I'm always ready to defend my picks and carry on a lively debate in the comments.

Let me hear what you have to say Raider Nation!