Oakland Raiders: Examining the 2011 Rookie Class

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Back in July, I took a look at the Raiders' draft class and made a few predictions.

Looks like I was dead on with most of my player profiles.

Now, 10 games into the year, I'll examine each rookie's performance and give them a player grade.

Almost every rookie has given a significant contribution to Oakland's 6-4 record, for better or for worse.

Let's see how they did.

Enjoy.

Stefen Wisniewski, G

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What I like: When we drafted Wisniewski, I expected him to be an above-average starter his rookie year. I thought Marcus Cannon was a better option, but unfortunately he was diagnosed with cancer before the draft.

It looks like I vastly underestimated Wiz II. Wisniewski has displayed characteristics that I thought he didn't have coming out of college: Mainly, lower body strength and the ability to block bigger defensive linemen.

Wisniewski has been absolutely fantastic all season. It's really one of the best performances I've seen from a rookie offensive lineman in some time.

He's really impressed me with his versatility, stepping in at center for Samson Satele with ease, and absolutely no drop off in performance.

Wiz is unlikely to earn a Pro Bowl berth this season, but his smarts, technique and desire tells me he'll get one very soon.

What I don't like: None.

Grade: A

Demarcus Van Dyke, CB

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What I like: Van Dyke has stepped into some tough situations this year, and played admirably. It looks like he's put on some much-needed weight, and has worked on his technique.

Van Dyke was far from being ready to start this season, but found himself thrust into action.

His performance wasn't without flaw, but we saw some flashes of shut-down ability.

What I don't like: While I saw some positive things from Van Dyke so far this year, he's got some things he definitely needs to work on.

His technique is still not quite there. His hips aren't as fluent as they should be, and he hasn't played the ball as well as I'd want to see.

Even with all that speed, we've seen some moments where Van Dyke got burned but, luckily, the receiver was unable to come down with the ball.

Grade: B-

Joseph Barksdale, G/T

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What I like: I was extremely high on Barksdale coming out of college, and thought he could slide into the starting right tackle spot effortlessly. Obviously, I was partially wrong about that.

However, Barksdale has certainly shown some qualities this year that we should like.

When Samson Satele went down a few weeks back, Barksdale was required to come in at left guard for Stefen Wisniewski.

After looking lost the first couple of plays, he really picked up his assignments and played well, displaying the combination of size and surprising quickness that I saw from his days at LSU.

While it seems he has fallen behind Stephon Heyer a bit on the depth chart, I fully expect Joe to be Khalid Barnes' replacement at right tackle next year.

What I don't like: Like I said, Barksdale seemed lost on a few plays this year and at one point, got blown completely off the line of scrimmage. He improved vastly after that, but the knock on him is still his inconsistency.

I sometimes wonder if he's completely committed to football as well.

Grade: B

Chimdi Chekwa, S/CB

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What I like: During the offseason, I felt that Chekwa was a better prospect than DeMarcus Van Dyke.

He has proved me right, so far. Before suffering an injury that landed him on injured reserve, he played very well at cornerback and free safety.

Chekwa displayed good coverage skills, and made a case to start ahead of Chris Johnson who, ironically, is also injured.

What I don't like: Chekwa is still a rookie, and plays like one. He can definitely improve in coverage, and his tackling skills are average.

Obviously, we'd like to see Chekwa on the field.

Grade: Incomplete

Taiwan Jones, RB

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What I like: Taiwan Jones is the fastest player on the fastest team in the world.

So, he's pretty fast.

Jones hasn't gotten into a groove at running back, but has displayed his incredible speed in limited playing time.

Taiwan has been solid on kick returns in relief for the oft-injured Jacoby Ford. While he hasn't made a play that makes you say "wow," I have a feeling that we'll see that soon.

What I don't like: Taiwan hasn't displayed the excellent agility I expected to see his rookie year. It feels like he's just trying to outrun everyone on the field. It works sometimes, but other times...not so much.

We also haven't seen great vision from him. Some of that could be contributed to the play calling, however (tosses and sweeps).

Grade: B

Denarius Moore, WR

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What I like: What do I not like is the question. Moore is the ultimate wide receiver, and reports of him having the ability to be elite out of training camp seem to have something to them.

Moore has developed into a playmaker, and is the favorite target of Carson Palmer, who knows a little something about good wide receivers.

What I like most about Moore is his ability to get off the line of scrimmage fast, and get behind defenses.

This guy has a great future.

What I don't like: Once and a while, his hands are a bit inconsistent. Would like to see him block better on run plays.

Grade: A