We are halfway through the preseason and the Oakland Raiders look to have one of their best drafts in a long time.  My question now is "How many will actually be starters?" At first, I only figured two for sure and possibly three, but now it looks like there could be more. Let's take a brief look at our rookie class for 2010.

 

No. 1- MLB Rolando McClain: Rolando McClain was one of 5 "Can't Miss Picks" on the Raider Draft Board and was the only one available when the Raiders went on the clock, so they grabbed him. 

He was penciled in as a starter on draft day, which led to Kirk Morrison being dealt away for a 4th round pick. 

He has already gained high praise from teammates, coaches, and opponents.  Some even say that he's the next coming of Ray Lewis. 

Verdict: Starting MLB

 

No. 2- DL Lamar Houston: Lamar Houston was the main pick that worried me because he was listed as a DT in the draft and seemed undersized for what we needed at the position. 

However, once camp broke, I discovered that the plan was to move Richard Seymour inside to DT and Houston would play DE. 

He recorded 2 sacks in the preseason opener against Dallas' starting offensive line, which lead other opponents to take him seriously. 

He has the Raider image mean streak that will help him be successful. 

Verdict: Starting DE 

 

No. 3- OL Jared Veldheer: Jared Veldheer was from a small school that many wondered about when he was drafted in round three. 

Many thought he'd beat out Mario Henderson for the LT job, but it looks like he may leave camp as the starting center after injury to Samson Satelle (who I've never been high on) and Chris Morris not being much better. 

This guy may be the second coming of Don Mosebar. 

Verdict: Possible starting center, but will likely start the season as backup

 

No. 4- OL Bruce Campbell:  Bruce Campbell was a combine warrior who turned in a good combine report, but it didn't equate on film. 

Many suspected that he'd be a first round pick by Oakland or Dallas, but he fell all the way to round four. 

He's been working at right guard mostly and he's still listed as the second stringer.  Some say he has a chance to overtake former Pro Bowler Cooper Carlisle at right guard, but Carlisle is not making it easy on him. 

Verdict: Reserve OL

 

No. 5- WR/KR Jacoby Ford: I knew after his 40 time was recorded, Jacoby Ford would be an Oakland Raider.  Now the question remains, "Will he be a receiver or kick returner?" 

He's been working mostly at kick returner and has a chance to make the team.  He also has a stout upperbody for a guy his size (remember the shot that Johnnie Lee Higgins took that slowed him down the rest of the season)? 

He also has been more impressive in camp than Darrius Heyward-Bey was last year as a WR. 

Verdict: Starting Kick off returner, back up WR

 

No. 6- CB Walter McFadden: Walter McFadden hasn't been talked about much, but he seems to be doing about what he was expected and that is back up Nnamdi Asomugha. 

I honestly think he will be the 4th corner. 

Verdict: Backup CB

 

No. 7- LB Travis Goethel: Travis Goethel has been mainly a special teams player.  He's seen some time at all three LB positions, but I think he'll make the team as a special teamer. 

Verdict: No. 3 MLB

 

No. 8- CB Jeremy Ware: I had absolutely no data on Jeremy Ware after he was drafted.  I eventually found out that he didn't have a single INT in college. 

He hasn't done much in camp or preseason, so he's the first rookie that will be on my cut list.  He may end up on the practice squad. 

Verdict: Practice squad

 

No. 9- FS Stevie Brown: Stevie Brown has been the most impressive to me so far and I say that because he's exceeded expectations by the farthest.  He has 2 INTs in preseason and he seems to have a nose for the ball. 

All the Raiders say are good things about him in camp; plus, he can tackle.  This guy just might spell the end for Michael Huff and/or Hiram Eugene.  He just might end up starting for us at FS. 

Verdict: Possible starting FS, but will likely start the season as a backup

 

No. 10- FB/DL Alex Daniels: Now I'm to the undrafted guys and Alex Daniels has drawn the most attention.  He was signed as an undrafted rookie DL. 

When the DL seemed to be stacked well, he decided to try and play fullback like he did in high school. 

Fullback seemed to be an area of weakness and Daniels was willing to try anything to make the team. 

Lately he's gone back to DL so chances are that he'll be a practice squader. 

Verdict: Practice squad at both positions

 

No. 11-  FBs Manase Tonga and Chane Moline: I put Manase Tonga and Chane Moline together because they are here for the same purpose. 

I had Chane Moline on my mock draft board as a 7th round pick because I thought Tonga would be gone by then.  However, after they both went undrafted, I was excited to have them as undrafted rookies. 

So far Tonga has been the more impressive.  It is still in question as to whether or not either will make the team because Luke Lawton will be suspended the first few games of the season.  Plus, two year practice squader Marcel Reese has been impressive too.  Free agent aquisition Rock Cartwright, who is competing for the kickoff returner and 3rd string RB position is not making it any easier either, since he is capable of playing fullback too. 

Verdict: Practice squad for both

No. 12- DT Kellan Heard:  In the draft, I wanted a big runstuffing DT.  After the draft, we signed Kellan Heard.  I was wondering if he would start or just rotate in on running downs. 

Then we signed veteran John Henderson (a former Pro Bowler), who I thought would start until camp started and they had Seymour shifted over to DT with Tommy Kelly, Matt Shaughnessy, and Lamar Houston starting at DE. 

Now it seems that Heard and Henderson will be competing for the final DT spot as Seymour and Kelly are starters and Desmond Bryant seems secure as a backup. 

Verdict: Practice squad

 

No. 13- OLs Allen Smith and Alex Parsons: Allen Smith and Alex Parsons were undrafted rookie offensive linemen that seem to be no more than just camp bodies. 

I heard that Parsons might have a chance to start at center before camp started, but then Veldheer was shifted over that way with Mario Henderson playing well at left tackle. 

Neither of these men are likely to make the team unless there is something going on that I don't know about. 

Verdict: Practice squad