Oakland Raiders: 10 Reasons Why They Should Trade for a First Round Draft Pick

The Oakland Raiders finished 8-8 in 2010, which is far better than what they were expected to. 

Al Davis now looks to improve on his team's decent season, with new coach Hugh Jackson at the helm. The Raiders went 6-0 against their division, yet still missed the playoffs in 2010.

There are still glaring holes on the team (quarterback, cornerback, receiver), but Oakland doesn't have any first round picks. 

Why else should they trade into the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft? Let's take a look...

10. Nnamdi Asomugha's Free Agency

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SAN DIEGO - DECEMBER 05: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sideline against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on December 5, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Raiders defeated the Chargers 28-13. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Ge

As of the end of the 2011 season, star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is listed as a free agent. This year's draft is loaded with impressive corner backs; two of them (Prince Amukamara and Patrick Peterson) are projected top-10 picks.

Asomugha is arguably the best cornerback in the league, and since the Raiders cannot trade at this very moment because of the lockout situation, it's in their best interest to replace him.

Oakland began to figure things out after drafting defense in the first round last year, and maybe they'll stay on that foot in 2011.

9. Quarterback Situation

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Quarterback Jason Campbell #8 of the Oakland Raiders throws a pass in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Tim Umphrey/Getty Images)

Jason Campbell surprised people in Oakland last season, but is he the future for this team? Much of the Raider fan base has doubts, which is why they should consider trading into the first round.

There are prospects like Blaine Gabbert or Cam Newton, both who might be too high of picks to reach for, but are great players. Jake Locker is also a possible first-round candidate.

The Raiders haven't had any stability at quarterback since Rich Gannon, and JaMarcus Russell was a horrible story as the first-overall pick. 

8. Wide Receivers

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HOUSTON - OCTOBER 04: Wide receiver Louis Murphy #18 of the Oakland Raiders at Reliant Stadium on October 4, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The 2011 NFL Draft is loaded with star wide outs, which might be an interest for Al Davis.

He drafted Darius Heyward-Bey ridiculously in the first round of the 2009 Draft, but 2011 presents him with a chance to redeem himself. A.J. Green and Julio Jones will both be gone by the first 12 picks of the draft, and are excellent speed receivers, something Davis drools over.

Oakland has guys like Louis Murphy and Chaz Schilens, but they aren't reputable targets. The receivers will surely intrigue Davis.

7. Offensive Line

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Robert Gallery #76 of the Oakland Raiders walks onto the field during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on January 2, 2011 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The Raiders were blessed with the breakout of Darren McFadden in 2010, but in order to keep his motor running, the offensive line needs to be revamped.

Robert gallery has been a letdown at right guard since arriving on Oakland, and the rest of the offensive line isn't notable either.

A lower first-round pick would allow Oakland to take either Gabe Carimi or Anthony Castonzo, and they'd be effective immediately.

6. Kansas City's Emergence

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 02: Running back Jamaal Charles #25 of the Kansas City Chiefs runs down field in a game against the Oakland Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri. The Raiders won 31-10 (Photo by Tim Umphrey/G

The San Diego Chargers have recently trounced the AFC West, but the Kansas City Chiefs are now serious contenders too.

The Raiders are currently considered to be the third-strongest team in the division, which doesn't "wow" the rest of the football world. A solid 2011 NFL Draft that includes first-round talent would enable the Raiders to actually improve, since there isn't free agency at the moment.

Oakland's 6-0 mark against the division will be hard to repeat, especially if they don't get better where they need to. The rest of the division is getting better, but Oakland peaked last season, they need to expand the talent. 

5. Al Davis' Final Years

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ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 18: Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis speaks during a press conference on January 18, 2011 in Alameda, California. Hue Jackson was introduced as the new coach of the Oakland Raiders, replacing the fired Tom Cable. (Photo by Justin Sul

The fact of the matter is, that Al Davis won't be around much longer. Until his tenure with the Raiders runs out, it's in his best interest to load the team up with young talent.

Davis hasn't done a very good job in recent drafts, and since the team has a new head coach, it would be nice to provide him with some talent. Hugh Jackson can build a strong relationship with his young players, since he too can be considered a rookie at the head coach position.

The Raiders will always have a reputable name because of Al Davis, but he should try and go out on top.

4. Lockout Consequences

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NEW YORK - APRIL 22: Joe Haden from the Florida Gators holds up a Cleveland Browns jerseyas he poses with family and friends after he was selected #7 overall by the Browns during the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 22,

With the lockout declared on Friday, the league's players, coaches and owners cannot come into contact with each other until the two sides agree on a financial deal.

This also means no free agency, but apparently the NFL Draft is still going to happen. Therefore, the Raiders need to make a pick in this year's first round. This scenario is the same for most NFL teams right now, but in Oakland's case, the team isn't exactly ready for a playoff run.

The draft has plenty of players who'd fit correctly with Oakland's needs.

3. Rewarding the Fans

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: A fan of the Oakland Raiders cheers during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Oakland is home to some great fans, who are literally crazy about their football.

Since the fans show up every Sunday regardless of record, why not give them a main attraction to look forward to, especially if it's a new offensive weapon. 

Other teams like the Browns and Lions had fans going crazy for "Suh" and "Haden" jerseys last season, to the point of leaving stores sold out of merchandise.

2. Rookie Contracts

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 31: Darrius Heyward-Bey #85 of the Oakland Raiders is lifted in the air by Marcel Reece #45 after he ran in for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 31, 2010 in Oakland, California.

Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the NFL is expected to reconstruct the rookie wage scale.

In order to avoid all of the confusion, Al Davis should consider grabbing talent while he can, and paying them what he thinks is right. Davis has a tendency to overpay his rookies, which is why Michael Crabtree wanted so much money from the San Francisco 49ers when he was taken after Darius Heyward-Bey in 2009.

Davis can make his first-round pick happy with a fatter paycheck, as opposed to a potential disagreement down the road when all rookies are given less money. Since Davis is willing to dish out the cash to his rookies, why not let him?

1. "The Best Way to Improve Is Through the Draft"

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OAKLAND, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Quaterback Rich Gannon #12 of the Oakland Raiders passes the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Network Associates Coliseum on September 19, 2004 in Oakland, California. The Raiders defeated the Bills 13-10. (Ph

Ask any NFL coach, and they'll tell you the best way to improve your team is through the draft. This is simply because trades don't often happen in the NFL, and free agency isn't always packed with big names like other major sports.

Since the tenure of an NFL player's career is much shorter, franchise quarterbacks often stay with their teams for the length of a career. The Raiders won't find many star players who'd want to play for Al Davis with the team in its current state.

If Oakland can find the next Ken Stabler or Rich Gannon through the draft, they must take chance at acquiring a first-round pick. If Nnamdi Asomugha doesn't want to play in Oakland anymore, sign-and-trade him along with another pick, and draft a quarterback.