Oakland Raiders and the NFL Draft: Is It Too Soon to Look Toward 2012?

The 2011 NFL Draft has come and gone, and now during the NFL lockout, teams are preparing for a season that may not have training camps and other offseason workouts. Due to the fact that there is very little to report on other than the lockout itself, I thought it would be interesting to look toward the next NFL Draft in 2012.

When the Raiders begin to succeed, and people start asking when did the change in culture begin, they will look at the 2010 draft. That was a draft that truly set the foundation of this team. With nine draft picks, the Raiders have the potential to almost produce six solid starters from that class.

The 2011 class may not be as flashy, but the upside is as high as ever. Stefen Wisniewski was a safe and solid pick that should solidify the middle of the offensive line. Joseph Barksdale needs a bit of coaching, but I see him as the starter at right tackle in the long term. After those two, the Raiders took a few projects that may take awhile to develop, but could potentially be great.

In 2012, I don't think the Raiders can afford to take many projects. Without a second and fourth round pick, the Raiders are going to have to really be selective as to who they decide to take a risk on, while making sure that their overall draft can keep this team on the rise.

DISCLAIMER: I don't have the Raiders taking any offensive lineman in this draft. Keep in mind free agency will happen BEFORE the Draft next year, and I like next year's free agency pool, a lot better than this years.

Let's get started...

Round 1: Mark Barron, Safety, Alabama

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 11: Mark Barron #4 of the Alabama Crimson Tide intercepts a pass intended for Brett Brackett #83 of the Penn State Nittany Lions at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 11, 2010 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Gett

Of all the years for the Raiders to not take a safety, 2011 was the worst one. I think the writing is on the wall for Michael Huff. Tyvon Branch is hoping to rebound from a tough 2010, and Mike Mitchell is a solid strong safety, but I do not think he is versatile enough to play free safety.

I know Stevie Brown is getting all kinds of fan hype, but as of right now, Brown is a preseason playmaker. If you think Hiram Eugene is the answer, please raise your hand...don't worry, I'll wait!

Branch and Mitchell are going to have to battle it out for the strong safety spot, and Brown is the free safety starter almost by default. If you don't think there is an issue, then there might be a doctors visit in your future.

I think to solve this issue, the Raiders need to draft a player who is versatile enough to play both positions, should someone on our roster actually emerges as a legitimate starter.

Mark Barron is that guy.

Some have Barron as being a second round pick. I have the Raiders picking somewhere in the 20's. From a talent and football IQ perspective, I think that is a solid selection. However, Barron has some off the field issues that may cause him to fall. Putting him in an environment like the new and improved Raiders locker room would be great for Barron.

He would have the veteran leadership of Richard Seymour added to an experienced former teammate of Rolando McClain.

Round 3: Terrelle Pryor, QB, Ohio State

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Terrelle Pryor #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates the Buckeyes 31-26 victory against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Pho

I will be the first to admit, this was the hardest decision I had to make on this whole list. So if I get attacked for it, I completely understand.

The Raiders decided not to draft a QB in the 2011 draft, and I feel like that was a good decision. I have faith that Jason Campbell can lead this team for a number of years. But the fact is, I do not like our QB situation after that. Kyle Boller just does not inspire confidence, and I think Bruce Gradkowski and Charlie Frye are done in Oakland.

I would like to see the Raiders take a look at Tavaris Jackson in free agency, but I do not think he is willing to be an unquestioned backup.

Terrelle Pryor has his ups and downs, but I have to admit he is a winner. A team might very well reach for Pryor and select him in the second round, and that team could very well be the Raiders. Keep in mind they didn't get a chance to get Colin Kaepernick. Pryor in my mind however, is a third round or later value, and being suspended for five games in the 2011 season most likely will solidify that.

I had to really think about this one. If Campbell does not do as well as expected, the Raiders are going to be looking for a QB anyway, but that most likely will be in the first round and for a lot more money. But if Campbell does well, and gets resigned, than the Raiders can get Pryor in the third round and take their time with him—without the big money attached. Let Pryor learn from Campbell both on and off the field, and this could actually work out.

I think Hue Jackson, who has a track record for QB's and other skill positions, is the kind of coach that can get a lot out Pryor over a period of time.

I know I said the Raiders needed to be decisive about the projects they take, but I think Pryor will be one of them.

Round 5: Devon Still, DT, Penn

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 1: Defensive tackle Devon Still $71 of the Penn State Nittany Lions sets for play against the Florida Gators January 1, 2010 in the 25th Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

The Raiders will continue to focus on the future of their defense in the 2012 draft. A big concern has been what will the Raiders do after Richard Seymour. I have as much faith in Desmond Bryant as most Raider fans have in Stevie Brown, so yes, I believe we are set after Seymour. But what about after Tommy Kelly finally leaves?

It took awhile for Tommy Kelly to finally play to his potential, so now the Raiders may need to look for his heir apparent.

Devon Still, in my opinion, is the exact athlete Kelly is, but I think his motor will be a whole lot stronger earlier in his career than Kelly's was.

Still was an honorable mention in the Big Ten conference. He was the only consistent pass rusher on a struggling pass rushing team, so he was double teamed a whole lot. I think if he is coached by Mike Waufle to beat the double team the way Kelly did in 2011, then Still could be a huge Pro Bowl caliber player for us.

Round 6: Emmanuel Acho, OLB, Texas

Brian Bahr/Getty Images

AUSTIN, TX - NOVEMBER 07: Defensive end Sam Acho #81 and linebacker Emmanuel Acho #18 of the Texas Longhorns defend against the UCF Knights on November 7, 2009 at Darrell K Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas. Texas won 35-3. (Photo by Bria

Defensive lineman Sam Acho (No. 81) was a prospect that I thought the Raiders should have really taken a hard look at. Unfortunately, the Raiders decided not to go in that direction. The Raiders decided not to draft any outside linebackers in the 2011 draft, so in 2012, I think Emmanuel Acho (No. 18) is going to be difficult to pass up.

At 6'2" 235 lbs, I think Acho can play both the Sam and Will linebacker positions. It seems as if the Raiders are looking for Travis Goethel to be our Will in 2011, and the Raiders decided to franchise Kamerion Wimbley, but depth at both positions are suspect. Quinton Groves may not be a great starter, but I have no problem letting him be a back up for Goethel. Thomas Howard however, I believe will struggle to back up Wimbley if the Raiders decide to keep him.

So obviously, there is a spot for new linebacker blood on this roster, and if the Raiders decide to one day part ways with Wimbley, Acho is the kind of linebacker who can rush the passer and stop the run.

Round 7: Winston Guy Jr., Free Safety, Kentucky

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 18: Winston Guy #21 of the Kentucky Wildcats is pictured during the game against the Akron Zips at Commonwealth Stadium on September 18, 2010 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

I have another safety for the Raiders in the seventh round. Why? Because when I look at this division, I see safeties that have the potential to be top notch players at the NFL level.

Kansas City: Eric Berry. We all hate KC, but you can't deny the impact he had on their defense. The guy is a beast.

Denver: Rahim Moore, the top rated safety in 2011. Yes, it was a shallow safety class, but he was the cream of the crop nonetheless. Then they drafted Quinton Carter, the fourth rated safety in the fourth round. Who will be their mentor? Brian Dawkins!

San Diego: Marcus Gilchrist. A guy who may play corner for them, but can play safety in a heartbeat if asked.

Oakland: ??...Oh yeah, Stevie Brown.

Either you find a QB that can take those guys out consistently, or you fight fire with fire. Selecting Barron in the first round and Winston Guy Jr. in the seventh gives you that opportunity.

Guy Jr is 6'1" 210 lbs, runs a 4.4 and even had a few snaps at linebacker. He can play free or strong, so again he is a versatile player. If Chuck Bresnahan continues to be our defensive coordinator past 2011, then these safeties have to be interchangeable and have range, because you know for a fact if Bresnahan is the guy, then prevent is the defense late in games.

We need safety play that can handle that.

Fan Opinion

Donald Miralle/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - OCTOBER 14: An Oakland Raider fan looks on during the first half of the game against the San Diego Chargers on October 14, 2007 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Tell me what you think Raider Nation.

I know the Terrelle Pryor pick was a bit out there, but I just don't see Al Davis letting him fall out of the third round especially without the opportunity to get Kaepernick in this past draft. Nick Foles might be a better fit for the Raiders, but I don't think he falls to the third round and he doesn't have the athleticism Pryor has.

It may seem like a Stevie Brown hater, but I'm not. I just think he has a lot to prove before he is a starter, and right now he doesn't have the right competition to challenge him. Honestly, I don't have a whole lot of faith in any of our safeties long term, which is why I have us taking two in 2012. If one of them emerges to stardom, than I would be happy for them.

Any positions you feel I left out? Do you think next years free agency will influence what the Raiders do?

Give me some feedback on this years draft. Will DeMarcus Van Dyke and Chimdi Chekwa work out? Or will we be looking for another top rated corner in 2012?

Comments, debates and even criticism is welcome. I'm just a Raider fan who wants his team to get better.

GO RAIDERS!!!