Terrell Pryor Well Worth a Third Round Pick for the Oakland Raiders

Just as I predicted, the Oakland Raiders have selected Terrelle Pryor in the NFL supplemental draft. In no way does that make me a genius; any citizen of Raider Nation could have see that one coming.

Pryor is 6'5", 232 pounds, and runs a 4.3 40-yard dash, so he is Al Davis' kind of guy. And don't forget about the unbelievable arm strength he has—he can chuck the ball 80 yards at any given time.

I originally predicted he would be a fourth-round selection, but forgot that the Raiders didn't have a fourth-round pick. He was projected to go in the fourth round, but when Davis wants a player, he gets him.  

This is actually a good move, too.

Turn the page to see why.

Mentor in Place

Terrelle Pryor doesn't have to play right away because the Raiders already have Jason Campbell. Campbell can mentor the kid and show him how to be a professional with the hours he has to put in.

One thing Campbell has done over the years is put the time in; he's had to learn many different offenses. Pryor can also see what not to do when Campbell does something off kilter that doesn't work.

To truly learn, you have to know what to do and what not to do.  

Future 1

This is a very good pick for the future because Pryor can be ready to step up in four or five years if Campbell plays well. Should the Raiders become contenders or win a Super Bowl in that time frame they can stay contenders with Pryor ready aft Campbell retires.

When Gannon had to abuptly retire the Raiders suffered seven straight losing seasons. They have yet to go get that winning season as Campbell just came to Raider Nation last year to help improve things.

That's why the Patriots went and got Ryan Mallet to be ready when Tom Brady is done. That's also why the San Francisco 49ers had Steve Young with Joe Montana for a while.

That's how you stay on top when you get there.

Future 2

Campbell can have himself a great year and another team can offer him something he can refuse. Losing a quarterback the helped you get back to respectability or the playoffs is huge.

But with Pryor in the fold, the Raiders would have a first round caliber quarterback that got the opportunity to sit work on his game for a year. He would be more ready to play in 2012 under the circumstances he's in than if he were to enter the draft in 2012.

Suddenly the loss of Campbell doesn't have to be so bad. 

When He's Ready

When Pryor is ready to play, he would make the Raiders' offense deadly.

The first thing he would do is help running back Darren McFadden rush for 2,000 yards—the same way Vince Young helped Chris Johnson. Backside defensive ends and linebackers will have to hold up a beat longer to make sure Pryor doesn't get away on a bootleg.

This will open up cutback lanes for McFadden.

Then of course his arm will be exploited in the Raiders' offensive system and their track team of receivers.

If the deep ball isn't there for Pryor, he is sure to have McFadden, fullback Marcel Reece, or tight ends Kevin Boss and David Ausberry open. If the opposing defenses choose to cover all of them instead of having a spy for Pryor, Pryor can go to the house with his own 4.3 speed.

The Raiders would be able to kill a defense in too many ways.

Possibility of Immediate Impact?

Pryor won't start at quarterback this year but his height and speed can be used at receiver. He also has great hands, as he has split out wide and caught fade routes in the red zone in college.

The Raiders have run a few wildcat plays before, as running backs McFadden and Michael Bush can throw the ball. Slash would be a good role for Pryor as a Raider since Davis likes to do things other teams can't do.

Pryor should at least get a package or two late in the season after his suspension.

Hue Jackson and Al Saunders

This isn't another Jamarcus Russell situation. Pryor didn't run 4.3 by being fat and lazy. Plus, the Raiders now have the type of staff with head coach Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Al Saunders to develop a quarterback.

The two coaches will adjust their vertical systems that Pryor already fits in, to play to his strengths. If there's one thing I know, it's that Jackson and Saunders will put him in position to win.

Look at what Jackson has already done for McFadden.

Third Round Not Too Steep

A lot of people are going to say that Davis reached for Pryor in the third round since draft experts had him going from Rounds 4 to 7. Davis saw a kid that would fit in his system as a quarterback, or as a receiver at worst, and didn't have a fourth-round pick.

For that, Davis was smart to get him in the third round in order to make sure he didn't lose out on such a talent. Those that think Davis reached for Pryor need to think of it in a different way.

If Pryor had been able to stay in school, he would have improved and gone in the first round, just like Cam Newton. But instead of going back to school, he'll be learning the pro game in 2011, being groomed to be a franchise quarterback.

That puts him ahead of any quarterback coming out of the 2012 draft not named Andrew Luck. The Raiders aren't going to have the first pick in the draft in 2012, so we can forget about that anyway.

But the bottom line is there won't be a better prospect in the third round than Pryor in 2012. Even if for some reason Pryor doesn't work out at all for the Raiders, his talent was worth a third round pick.

There's no such thing as a third round bust.

Compensatory Picks

If you are worried about the Raiders not having a second, third and fourth round pick next year, don't.The Raiders will get compensatory picks for all that they've lost in rounds 3-7, depending on their worth.

This isn't official but I think the Raiders will definitely get a third round pick for the loss of Nnamdi Asomugha. He is the best corner in the NFL, he had a salary of over $10 million, and he's a former first round pick.

Zach Miller didn't have a big salary until he bolted for Seattle but he was a Pro Bowler in 2010. He was a second round pick too so his compensation level should be a third but or least a fourth round pick in 2012.

Then there's Gallery, who was a bust at left tackle but had a hefty salary and was a first round pick. I'm thinking that this could very well be a third round pick to but has to be at least a four too.

I'm not sure how much is draft status, salary, or performance but there is potential to get tree thirds here. Two thirds and a fourth could happen to but it looks more like a third and two fourth.

Three third round picks would be lovely but I don't think the NFL will do that.

Again, speculation on my part. 

Overview

Davis has done it again—and I don't mean by just drafting another fast guy. I believe he will work out as a quarterback since he will be brought along slowly, continuing to revolutionize the quarterback position.

If he doesn't work out as a quarterback, he can truly revolutionize the receiver position. On one play he can catch a 70-yard bomb for a touchdown, and on the next he can throw a touchdown after catching a bubble screen behind the line of scrimmage.

The possibilities are endless with this kid.

He is every bit worth a third-round pick!

How many teams have a quarterback that runs a 4.3?

How many teams have a receiver that can chuck it 80 yards?

The Raiders now have either one or both with one player.

That's why Pryor's talent is well worth the risk in the third round.