2011 NFL Mock Draft: Can Oakland Raiders Strike Gold Again?

As the 2011 NFL draft approaches, the Raiders find themselves in heavy need of another solid draft similar to their 2010 class. That draft produced three solid starters with Rolando McClain, Lamarr Houston and Jared Veldheer.

Potentially, that draft could produce close to six starters if you include Jacoby Ford's performance at receiver, Bruce Campbell's potential on the offensive line and Travis Goethel's opportunity to compete for a outside linebacker position.

In 2011, the Raiders hope to find those same kind of results. However, without a first-round pick, it may be a bit more difficult to find, but still very possible.

When looking at the Raiders' needs, it is apparent that the offensive line is the greatest need as a whole. Al Davis has put a lot of early-round investments in skill positions. Now, he finds himself putting a lot of faith in his mid-round offensive line prospects Jared Veldheer and Bruce Campbell. The Raiders cannot afford to overlook the offensive line any longer.

Though offensive line is the biggest need, the Raiders need to focus on depth at other positions as well.

Round 2: Stefen Wisniewski, C, Penn State

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TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Guard Stefan Wisniewski #61 of the Penn State Nittany Lions leaves the field after play against the Florida Gators January 1, 2010 in the 25th Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Get

In every mock draft for the Raiders, the second-round pick is always a toss-up between Stefen Wisniewski or offensive line prospect Marcus Cannon. I believe both would be solid picks, but my money has to go on Wisniewski.

Cannon is someone I think the Raiders are strongly considering, but Wisniewski is the guy they want.

I am the type of person who wants a good football player over a big name.

When I look at Wisniewski, I ask myself all the time, do I want him because he is a good football player? Or is it because I want his bloodline to remain Silver and Black?

Honestly, I'd have to say both.

Wisniewski is a technician at his position—something I believe current Raider center Samson Satele is not. Forget about their similar measurables; these two are not the same player. Wisniewski is classy off the field, but mean, tough, strong and most importantly smart on the field. Wisniewski gives us the opportunity to get a top-notch center for 10-plus years. I don't see that kind of upside with Satele despite his better play towards the end of the 2010 season.

Another reason I have the Raiders taking Wisniewski is because, to be honest, I think he is slowly becoming a forgotten commodity. Early on, I think a lot of us had the "Wiz Kid" being a first-round prospect, but what I'm hearing now is that Wisniewski could fall into the third round.

That tells me that though this center class is deep, teams are not truly coveting centers at a high level right now. So not only do I think the Raiders can get him at 48, but they may be able to trade down, maybe get another third-round pick and still get Wisniewski. That second third-round pick could be a big deal.

Round 3: John Moffitt, G, Wisconsin

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 10: Offensive lineman John Moffitt #74 of the Wisconsin Badgers blocks against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 10, 2009 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

John Moffitt is the next offensive lineman I have the Raiders taking in Round 3. Similar to Wisniewski, Moffitt is a tough, strong, smart offensive guard.

I have the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and San Diego Chargers all focusing on their defensive front sevens in Round 1. I think the Raiders have to protect themselves from that.

I look at Moffitt, and I see a guy who most likely be a backup Week 1 but a starter by Week 6. Moffitt would be a huge upgrade over former right guard Cooper Carlisle and a very decent upgrade over current projected starter Dan Loper.

The Raiders need to boost the right side of their offensive line. It is an understatement to say the left side was their dominant side when running the football. If the Raiders can be more balanced, I think Darren McFadden would reap the benefits.

I mentioned the Raiders getting a second third-round pick. If they do, I would select QB Ricky Stanzi. He is a big, strong-armed QB with mobile feet and decent accuracy. A pick like that this year can preserve the Raiders selecting a QB next year—a year where many assume that QB would have to be a high-round pick.

I know that an OLB would look really good at this spot, but I think Bruce Carter of UNC and Chris Carter of Fresno would be gone. Dontay Moch is a physical specimen, but his play says he is a fourth-round pick, and I have the Raiders selecting another freakish athlete.

Round 4: Robert Sands, FS, West Virginia

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 1: Defensive back Robert Sands #41 of West Virginia runs with the football during the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 28, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

I think the safety position is the most uncertain position on this roster. I know fans at this point are tired of drafting a safety every year, but until the Raiders find the production they are looking for from that position, I am all for it.

Tyvon Branch is looking to rebound from 2010. Mike Mitchell played well, but not well enough to be an unquestioned starter. Hiram Eugene is a joke, and Stevie Brown is getting way too much fan hype as far as I'm concerned.

Robert Sands stands close to 6'4", 220—measurables that fit a receiver. However, Al Davis has never shied away from taking an athlete's physical traits and putting him in unorthodox positions.

Sands has the college production as well. Though this safety class is not great, I believe Sands is a great value pick in Round 4.

Round 5: Cortez Allen, CB, Citadel

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 22: Carl Moore #16 of the Florida Gators catches a pass against Cortez Allen #13 of the Citadel Bulldogs during the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 22, 2008 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty I

I know it is looking bleak, but I still think Nnamdi Asomugha is going to stay a Raider.

Still, I think the Raiders take a big, physical corner. I think in Al Davis' perfect world, he would take Patrick Peterson no questions asked. His football instincts are crazy good, mixed with measurables that the Football Gods intended a corner to have: 6'2", 220.

Cortez Allen may not have the football IQ of Peterson, but his measurables are very similar: 6'2", 200 lbs. (not every corner can hold down a 220-lb. frame).

What Allen lacks in football IQ, he makes up for in being extremely coachable. His time at the East-West Shrine Game proved that. He was willing and able to do anything asked of him. I think that is someone who Rod Woodson would love to get his hands on—this kind of a corner who played mostly man-to-man in college.

Remember, Woodson's legacy as a coach will not be what does with Asomugha on the roster, but it will be defined as what he can do if Asomugha were to ever leave.

Round 6: Julius Thomas, TE, Portland State

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OMAHA, NE - MARCH 20: Julius Thomas #1 of the Portland State Vikings goes up for a rebound against the Kansas Jayhawks during the Midwest Region first round of the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament on March 20, 2008 at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Nebr

In Round 6, I think the Raiders need to look at giving their offensive weaponry some depth.

Julius Thomas, in my opinion, is the Antonio Gates of this draft. Whether or not he will have the same career as Gates is a bigger question, but keep in mind Gates went undrafted, so the similarity of a late-round pick like Thomas is justified. But that is not the only similarity.

Julius Thomas was a basketball player in his college days the same way Gates was. Both of them share that unique kind of athleticism.

Thomas is rising up fast, so if the Raiders really want him, they may have to invest in him in the fifth round. But no doubt Thomas is the kind of athlete Al Davis covets.

Picking Julius is in no way a knock on Zach Miller. Miller is our Pro Bowl guy, and he should remain that way. But his selection is a knock on backup Brandon Myers. When Miller went down in 2010, Myers did very little to keep the tight end position productive. In my opinion, the Raiders cannot afford to have that kind of drop at that position should Miller go down once more.

Round 7: Andre Holmes, WR, Hillsdale

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DENVER - OCTOBER 24: Center Jared Veldheer #68 of the Oakland Raiders celebrates a touchdown by teammate Darren McFadden (not pictured) in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at INVESCO Field at Mile High on October 24, 2010 in Denver, Colorado.

Since 2006 the Raiders have been fond of drafting a player and then selecting his teammate the following year. They drafted OLB Thomas Howard in 2006, only to draft his teammate Johnnie Lee Higgins in 2007. In 2009 the Raiders went with Darrius Heyward-Bey and followed up with his teammate Bruce Campbell in 2010.

That trend continues in 2011 with Andre Holmes of Hillsdale.

The Raiders selected Jared Veldheer (pictured) in 2010, and I believe his teammate is next.

Holmes is 6'4", 210 lbs. His size is what everyone notices first, but his college production is also solid. Holmes ranks as one of the top receivers in that school's history. The knock on Andre Homes is similar to his teammate Veldheer: They did not go up against high-level competition. But that is not going to make the Raiders shy away.

Holmes is a solid pick at a position that I believe will be more improved but not quite cured. I think the Raiders are going to shy away from smaller receivers and stick with the bigger athletes, so Higgins and Nick Miller may be out. Just my opinion.

Round 7 (Compensatory Pick): D.J. Young, OT, Michigan State

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MADISON, WI - SEPTEMBER 26: D.J. Young #59 of the Michigan State Spartans tries to block O'Brien Schofiled #50 of the Wisconsin Badgers by grabbing his face mask on September 26, 2009 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. Wisconsin defeated Michi

D.J. Young is an offensive lineman and a guy who is really going unnoticed right now. I think he is a tough kid who plays hard but is not so polished right now.

I will say that a guy like Young could be our starter in 2012. With our right tackle position being uncertain, I believe a guy like Young can come in and still play at a high level despite his raw ability.

He was a All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2010, which lets you know he obviously knows what he is doing. With proper coaching I think he can help solve our offensive tackle questions.