Oakland Raiders 2010 NFL Draft: Stroke Of Mad Genius?

The NFL Draft is quickly approaching and speculation more and more fills the air. For Raider fans, this time of year Raider fans dread the media bashing and posibilty of a questionable first round pick, but wait anxiously to find out who the late round gem will be. In 2007 it was Michael Bush, in 2008 it was Trevor Scott and in 2009 Louis Murphy was the Diamond in the rough.

This year I expect the Raiders to have a decent draft throughout, however I expect the Raiders to select a few positions that at the time will frustrate fans, but in the future can pay dividens.

Round 1: Bruce Campbell OT, Maryland

I still think Al is going to pick this athletic but questionable Tackle. I will say the same thing about Campbell that I said about his college teammate Darrius Heyward-Bey, I dont mind him being the pick, but trade down to get him.

Last year, when the New York Jets traded for the 5th pick, the 7th pick lost a lot of value. So if the Raiders wanted Heyward-Bey so badly they had to take him with that pick. With OT being so deep, many teams will be willing to trade, especially if OB Sam Bradford goes number 1 and QB Jimmy Clausen goes 4 or 5. So picking Campbell between 12 and 15 makes a lot more sense than number 8.

Round 2: Jahvid Best RB, Cal

This is where I can hear the critics. I can think of five more positions more important than RB off the top of my head. DT,MLB,OL(GUARD),CB,and FB. But with the absence of Justin Fargas, RB is still shaky. Darren Mcfadden is special, but has'nt lived up to potential just yet. Bush is no doubt a beast, but is inconsistent as well. Remember, Louis Rankin is no longer with us as well.

Jahvid Best is probably going to get the Chris Johnson treatment, teams will start to boost him up the draft board due to his speed and decent hands. Best has already in his words shown his "Raider speed", and shown a genuine interest to want to be a Raider. In Al Davis' mind those are definite positives.

From hear on I wont list a specific player, but will focus on position. This is to try and focus on both needs and probability as in the third round and beyond things begin to get unpredictable.

Round 3: Defensive Tackle

Now this is when the Raiders take care of there needs. Trading away one of their third round picks for OLB/DE Kamerion Wimbley was a good deal. But the necessary release of Gerard Warren leaves Tommy Kelly and Desmond Bryant are the only DT on the roster. With free-agency being shallow, there is no way the Raiders pass on a DT.

Round 4: Middle Linebacker

I dont think Kirk Morrison will be back, and will be missed.  But whether he is or not MLB is a must this year. We talked about late round gems earlier and this could be the pick that all Raider fans can jump for joy on reguardless of the player because of how big the need of the position is. 

Round 5 Pick 1: Offensive Tackle or Guard

Still a position of need, the O-line most definitley needs help. The popular pick for Raider fans is OG Brandon Carter of Texas Tech. The guy really does look like a true Oakland Raider. But Offensive Tackle again could be addressed. OT Tony Washington in my opinion was a 5th round pick, but he is quickly rising up boards. But maybe with his character concerns(which I think are behind him), he can be there in the 5th. Either pick would be helpful.

Round 5 Pick 2: Cornerback

There are two different types of cornerbacks the Raiders could choose from. They could get a smaller CB with Punt Returning abilities which would actually fulfill two needs or a bigger 6'0 or taller CB who they may feel can start for them one day. Either way CB is a must for depth purposes if nothing else.

Round 7: Wide Reciever

Again the Raiders pick another receiver, and I dont think it's gonna be some 5'9 speedster either. Im talking 6'4 215, 4.4 running receiver that no one has heard of. Why? Because of depth. When Schilens was hurt, we had no red-zone threat at all and it showed. Besides Murphy, Heyward-Bey and Schilens, all other WR have the potential to be cut. Yes and that incudes Jhonnie-Lee Higgins if he cant get his punt returning skills back. Todd Watkins has never been a factor in the regular season and Nick Miller has to do his rookie season all over again and prove he was'nt a waste of a roster spot.

Unless the Raiders can find a veteran WR in free agency like TO or anyone similar, expect another rookie WR to get his name called on draft day.

So this is my approach to the Raiders draft, you may not like all the picks, but they do at least make a lot of sense not only for the needs we have as a team, but also the way Al Davis thinks. It may be a rough Draft weekend, but it could help us out in the long run.

So give me some comments, lets get these debates started.