11 Players That Carson Palmer Would Most Love for the Oakland Raiders to Draft

Sometimes the starting quarterback and the team differ on which players to draft. Thankfully the quarterback is not in the business of scouting and drafting players and Reggie McKenzie, not Carson Palmer, will determine which players are selected.

Palmer should have no complaints if the Oakland Raiders' draft is defense heavy as he inherits a well-built offense. Palmer knows you can never have enough offensive weapons, but the Raiders need depth on defense and are willing to sacrifice a little depth on offense for an improved defense.

What players would Palmer like the Raiders to draft? Palmer knows it is all about pressure on the quarterback and would love the Raiders to bring in additional depth in the front seven.

Outside Linebackers

Shea McClellin

He probably will not be available when the Raiders first pick at the end of the third, but the Raiders need an effective pass-rusher from the linebacker position. McClellin can get to the quarterback a number of ways and has excellent motor.

Palmer understands how important pressure on the quarterback is, and if McClellin falls the Raiders will not hesitate to draft him.

Bruce Irvin

Irvin would become an option for the Raiders when they decide to use the 3-4 defense. Irvin has the tools to develop into a pass-rushing specialist. He's undersized, but he's a gifted athlete.

However, Irvin is somewhat of a wild card because he will be transitioning from end to linebacker and there is some concern with his ability to make that transition.

McKenzie should do his due diligence on Irvin and take a flier if he believes the coaching staff can make him into the rush linebacker.

Ronnell Lewis

Lewis has the potential to be a polarizing prospect. He has a passion for the game and really likes to play and could be valuable on special teams as well as a rush linebacker.

He is versatile and can probably play in the 3-4 and 4-3. He had trouble with academic eligibility and NFL teams are going to ask him a lot of questions to test his football IQ.  If he passes all the teams' tests, he could be a valuable addition to the front seven.

He might lack elite characteristics but will make up for it in motor and drive.

Demario Davis

Blowing up the combine will get a player noticed. Davis posted top-five numbers in just about every combine event for his position. 

What is usually more important than the workout numbers is what the teams find out when they go back and look at the player on film. What the teams will find is a linebacker that can stack and shed and has good instincts.

Davis is a little limited in coverage, but that's an area of his game the coaches can work with him on as he has enough athletic ability to be a pass-rusher and is instinctive in the run game and a solid tackler.

Nigel Bradham

Looks the part, but something is missing. The knock on Bradham has been his instincts and the team that drafts him will have to determine if his issues are correctable.

If the Raiders can get Bradham with their third- or fourth-round draft selection it could pay huge dividends, but he could also be a physical specimen that never lives up to his abilities.

Rolando McClain is a good recent example of how the physical traits need to match instincts and motor and Bradham will have to squash those concerns.

Defensive Ends

Tyrone Crawford

At 6'4" and 276 pounds, Crawford looks the part of a 4-3 defensive end with potential to add weight and play 3-4 end in the future. Crawford is raw player, but he's stout at the point of attack and can get off blocks to make plays in the running game. 

He's raw as a pass-rusher, but reminds me a little of Matt Shaughnessy. It will take time to develop his pass rush, but he could be a three-down end in the future.

Malik Jackson

Jackson is an athlete playing football and may need some time to develop in the pro game. He's got a nice frame for either a 4-3 or 3-4.

McKenzie will have to decide if it worth bringing in a guy that can only be a rotational player to start with upside as he learns better technique. 

Jackson could well be worth the flier if he falls to the Raiders at the end of the third round.

Vinny Curry

The Raiders might want to add another flavor of Curry to the defense. Vinny Curry is more of a natural pass-rushing prospect. The nice thing about Curry is that he's not a liability against the run. 

Curry was productive in college and has already developed a nice set of pass-rush moves, but he's more of a situation player, capable of coming and and helping the defense pressure the quarterback.

Defensive Tackles

Josh Chapman

Chapman will visit the Raiders, although it seems unlikely he would fall to 95th overall unless his medical concerns push him down the draft board.

Chapman is just what the Raiders have been looking to add to the roster and they will look for a player like Chapman even if he is off the board at 95.

The best thing about Chapman is 4-3 and 3-4 versatility as he can play the nose in both schemes. He's not a bad pass-rusher for a nose—he can eat up blocks and he fills running lanes and make the players around him better. 

The Raiders released John Henderson and will be looking to fill his spot with a drafted player. Chapman would be the logical choice.

DaJohn Harris

The Raiders might look at Harris as a poor man's Chapman. He's taller and plays high, but if the Raiders could get that fixed he has the potential to be a very good nose in the 4-3 and could probably even play in the 3-4. He can be disruptive when he plays low and fires off the snap and he's got a quick first step. 

If his technique issues can be corrected and he's willing to stay in shape, he's got a lot of potential and could be a rotational defensive tackle right away.

Mike Martin

If the Raiders stick with the 4-3, Martin could be the rotational 4-3 nose they need. He's not going to dominate physically, but he's a strong guy that can get even stronger. However, h might not be able to add any additional weight, which is why he doesn't project well to the 3-4 nose spot.

Martin uses his hands to stay clean and actively pursue the ball carrier in the run game. He has good lateral agility and is an active player that can help a defense as a rotational defensive tackle.

He's got some work to do in the technique area, but you have to love his motor and apparent passion for the game.

The Raiders have solidified the starting positions on defense, but there is a significant lack of depth, particularly in the front seven. The Raiders must add a defensive end, defensive tackle and linebacker via the draft, and this list is a good starting place.