2009 NFL Draft: Oakland Raiders—Trade Down Al!

Let's stop all of the talk about how the Raiders need to draft Crabtree or Maclin with the No. 7 overall pick.

The Raiders have many more holes to plug and one receiver is not going to get it done. Plus, the Raiders aren't in the best financial shape.

So, why burden themselves with the expense associated with signing another high draft pick?

Trade Down Al!

I know this is not in your nature, but you can do so much more for the team by collecting additional picks in the late first and second rounds.

Based on the NFL draft-pick value chart">NFL draft pick value chart, that No. 7 pick is worth 1500 points. That translates into a late first round, two second rounds, and a third round pick.

I would even through in the seventh round pick to make this happen. This would give the Raiders one first round, three second rounds and a third and fourth round pick.

With these picks we should look to acquire the following:

First Round

Darrius Haywood-Bey, WR, Maryland

Al loves speed and Darrius has it.

There are questions about his hands, but it's difficult to judge. Maryland isn't necessarily the home of a top college passing attack and he still broke some passing records.

Second Round

Brian Robiskie, WR, Ohio State

When it's all said and done, this guy will probably be the best WR in this class.

He was bred to play WR in the NFL. His dad is a long-time NFL WR/Offensive coach. T

his will also bring some significant competition and depth to our weakest position. Drafting two WRs with the first two picks is odd, however, we invested a lot in Russell. He needs tools to succeed. As of right now, he doesn't have much at the WR spot.

Second Round

Jamon Meredith, OT, South Carolina

The perfect fit at tackle in our Zone Blocking Scheme.

We've signed a couple of guys this offseason, but we need to get better at that position and this pick increases the competition at the spot that protects our most valuable commodity—Russell.

Second Round

Ron Brace, DT, Boston College

We need to plug up that whole in the middle. Ron is a massive man. He'll do well at a position that really needs an upgrade. Terdell Sands just ain't getting it done.

Third Round

Michael Mitchell, SS, Ohio

A perfect in the box safety that we haven't had since I don't know when.

Fourth Round

Cornelius Lewis, OG, Tennessee St. 

We need some depth at the OG spot. This guys tests very well for our Zone Blocking Scheme. A mauler with size, speed, agility, and a nasty streak.

We still have a problem with the DE spot. I'm not a big fan of this, but Al has a penchant for trading next year's pick for a pick in the current draft. If Al is so inclined to repeat this tradition, I would try to trade for another second round pick and select Michael Johnson, DE, Georgia Tech.

Athletically, he is an absolute freak of nature. However, he does come with some motivational issues. But, we need some depth at that position. He physically reminds me of the Mad Stork.

For those who are uncomfortable selecting two WRs with the first two picks, either pick could easily be Michael Johnson or another badly needed DE.

Just some thoughts from a Raider Die Hard. See you in Lot C.