NFL Draft 2011: What Are the Oakland Raiders' Options in the Draft?

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The Oakland Raiders Don't Have a Pick In the First Round of the Draft, But Could A Cornerback Be In the Cards?

We all know that Nnamdi Asomugha is a free agent and that it won't be easy to re-sign him to a long-term contract, especially with so many bidders for his services.

Well, with the labor situation being what it is, the best way to plan for possibly losing Asomugha is by drafting another corner and Nick Castillo of NFLMocks.com has found just the guy to replace him in the Oakland secondary.

That man is Ras-I Dowling out of Virginia, who seems to fit perfectly in Oakland when you look at his skill set.

"Dowling was at one point in discussion for the 2nd best CB title in the draft," Castillo writes. "However, after losing a majority of his season to injury, Dowling had been sliding down draft boards. That was until the Combine where Dowling ran a 4.46 40 yard dash. He also was one of the top DB’s in the bench press. He excels at zone coverage, has good ball skills and has the speed Al Davis loves."

To me that sounds like a guy the Raiders have to seriously look at in the second round. Without a first round pick, you have to fill a need with this move and Dowling is a guy that has all of the tools to be a great corner in the NFL. Sure, you worry about injuries, but when he gets an NFL body and gets used to that conditioning program, he'll be a productive player for years to come.

Dowling could be the steal of the draft wherever he goes.

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