Oakland Raiders: A Very Early Look at the 2012 NFL Draft

One of my favorite NFL events, other than the Super Bowl, is the NFL Draft. It is one of the rare events that lives up to the hype, unlike even the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl. I love the Combine and keeping up with the pro days. I love to watch all of the draft day trades and how coaches and general managers try to play poker with the rest of the NFL franchises. From the first overall pick to Mr. Irrelevant, I love the draft.

Another thing I love is how my team, the Oakland Raiders, have drafted the past three years. They have really brought in some young players who have a will to win and have devoted themselves to the Raider philosophy of "Commitment to Excellence".

As it seems our Raiders are on the rise, and many fans are looking forward towards the New England Patriots, I just thought it would be fun to look in to the future a bit.

Though the Raiders have played very well, they still have some holes to fill. They have a few problems that could be managed, yet most likely will bother them throughout the year.

I based this early mock draft on those issues.

Free Agency Before the Draft

With free agency being before the draft this year, unlike in 2011, I think this is where the Raiders get some solid depth on the offensive line. Maybe they can find a decent outside linebacker or even a safety, though I am not too fond of those two positions as far as free agents go.

As I look at this offensive line, as a unit, they have played lights out. They bully defenses to the core and really impose their will on their opponent. However, like for decades, the left side is the better side of the line. In my opinion, it is only a matter of time before the right side gets exposed.

Cooper Carlisle and Khalif Barnes have done a good job so far, but the Raiders have two young linemen who we all know are starters in waiting. Bruce Campbell at right guard and Joe Barksdale at right tackle. So if the Raiders part ways with Carlisle and Barnes, the Raiders would need some big bodies to fill in for depth.

Montrae Holland and Brian Waters would be some good guys to look at. Waters may not want to come to Oakland to be a backup, but maybe. Holland is a strong guy out of Dallas who may be intrigued by the Raiders. Tony Ugoh has struggled in his carer a bit, but I think he would be solid as a backup rather than a starter.

Just a few names to help bolster this offensive line.

What Is It Going to Take to Get Aaron Curry?

I have heard many people comment about the Raiders making a play for Aaron Curry. I personally am all for it. Word is, Curry is not exactly living up to his first round expectations. Rumor has it that the Seattle Seahawks are not only willing to part ways with Curry, but also give him up for a song.

Al Davis loves to collect former first-round picks, and Curry's overall blend of height, weight and speed, Curry definitley fits the bill. Once considered the safest pick in the 2009 draft, I would have no problem with the Raiders looking into this.

Sometimes, a player just needs a new scene. The idea of adding Curry to a progressing Rolando McClain is definitley intriguing.

I am proud to say that Quinton Groves has improved at the linebacker spot, but will that progression last through the entire season and will it be enough for the Raiders to bring him back as Groves is a free agent in 2012.

The NFL Draft Round One: T.J. McDonald Safety USC

The guy I really want is cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama. But I have the Raiders making the playoffs this year and if not, coming very close. So the Raiders will most likely be picking between 19-25. There is no way Kirkpatrick lasts that long, but he fits the Raider mold as far as cornerbacks are concerned.

I think the biggest mistake the Raiders made in the 2011 draft, was not drafting a safety. For those who felt Stevie Brown was the answer, forgive me if I laugh on the inside. Many gave me grief for not believing in him, and last I checked, he is no longer on this roster.

But anyway, the biggest problem with our safety position is that we have a lot of strong safeties that are not versatile enough to play free safety. Michael Huff is a true free safety, yet it is possible that he could be even better as a corner.

If Al Davis is truly a USC guy the way many believe, than I think T.J. McDonald has to be the pick here.

If Huff does make the transition to full-time cornrer, then the Raiders use McDonald to fill the free safety spot. Then, you could pair McDonald with Mike Mitchell (Branch is a free agent in 2012). If Huff stays, than McDonald is versatile enough to play the strong safety spot.

What makes this pick the best, is that as of right now, McDonald is considered a second-round pick, so the Raiders could trade down and still get their guy.

If a team like the Jaguars or Cincinatti give a king's ransom offer, the Raiders who without a second, third, and fourth-round pick have to take advantage of their position.

Where Does the Compensatory Pick Fall?

As we know, the Raiders gave up their third-round pick for Terrelle Pryor in the supplemental draft, a decision that will only help the Raiders despite the critics. I made a 2012 mock draft in one of my past articles a few weeks after the 2011 draft, and I had the Raiders taking Pryor in the third round. I am glad to say I was technically right.

One of the reasons the Raiders took the chance on Pryor is because they knew they would get a good compensatory pick for the players they lost in free agency. The Raiders lost three of the top 15 free agents in Nnamdi Asomugha, Robert Gallery and the shocking Zach Miller.

I am not sure how the compensatory picks work. Is it determined by the collective group of free agents, or do you get a pick for each free agent lost?

Regardless, the Raiders will at least get one, and where that pick falls could determine a lot.

If the Pick Is in the Third Round: Nico Johnson, OLB, Alabama

If the Raiders can't get their hands on Aaron Curry, then I think Nico Johnson of Alabama is the guy to fill the void.

As of right now, Johnson is considered a third-round pick, but with the way the Alabama defense is playing, I would not be shocked if he boosts up his draft stock.

I place a big premium on versatile players, and Johnson is just that. He is traditionally an outside linebacker yet has some playing time at middle linebacker. So just in case the Raiders do decide to switch to a 3-4 or stay in a 4-3, Johnson is definitley scheme diverse.

I think he and college teammate Rolando McClain would have an instant chemistry. With the Raiders building a passionate bully of a defense, chemistry will go a long way.

If Johnson is off the board, than I think Emmanuel Ocho out of Texas or Nigel Bradham of Florida State also are solid pick. Each of them are aggressive and smart players who have the potential to be better pros than collegiate athletes.

For those who are not fans of McClain's quiet approach, than I think Johnson's firey attitude will suffice.

If the Pick Is in the Fourth Round: Jaye Howard, Defensive Tackle, Florida

This is the round where the Raiders typically find gold. From Michael Bush to Taiwan Jones, the Raiders always find future contributors in this round. That is what makes it hard to believe that they do not have a traditional pick in this round.

If the Raiders can get their compensatory pick in the fourth round, I think Jaye Howard is the guy to take. I love the idea of Richard Seymour having a young mind to tutor at his position. Howard I think is that guy.

He has a big motor, but his stats do not exactly "wow" you; in fact, they are quite weak. But on a very young defensive line, Howard was hands-down the most consistent, and is playing at a high level during the 2011 football season.

With Mike Wauffle as his coach and Seymour as his mentor, you know he has an upside.

He fits the Al Davis eye test too: 6'3, 302 lbs. and a 4.99 40 (that's actually fast for 302 lbs.).

If you like Lamarr Houston, I think Howard will be on your list, too.

Round 5: Damarlo Belcher WR Indiana

I know what you are thinking, not another rookie receiver. But let me explain why it is necessary.

Many have craved a veteran receiver for the Raiders, but we got that in Derek Hagan. The 2012 free agency class is decent at the WR position but not great. Unless the Raiders can get Malcolm Floyd of San Diego or Robert Meachem from New Orleans, any other veteran WR is a band-aid for a bullet wound.

The corps we have now is much better, but not nearly complete. Denarious Moore is going to take someone's starting job permanently eventually, Jacoby Ford still needs to get his rhythm so far in this young season and Darrius Heyward-Bey has to show that he can at least be a factor during the course of a season, not just a game or two.

I love Louis Murphy, but there is no telling what kind of player he will be after being out so long, and unless Chaz Schilens leads this team in receiving, that project may be over. Nick Miller is finally out of here.

You add a guy like Damarlo Belcher, and this receiving corps is boosted to the next level. I could see him being like Marques Colston, but faster. 6'5, 215 lbs. and a 4.44 40 time. You can't ask for much more.

The guy is used to making plays as both a deep and Red Zone threat. He has been productive in multiple seasons, so he is no one year wonder, and no injury concerns. I couldn't get a decent picture of him, but check out the video.

If you had Belcher and Murphy on the outside, and Moore in the slot. That would be deadly. Then, you would have Ford matched up against a linebacker or safety. You can't double team everyone.

Rounds 6&7: Who Knows

Rounds six and seven are always crapshoots. It is always some name from some school you have never heard of. So I'm not even going to lie to all of my loyal readers and pretend I watch so much college football that I could give some sleeper names.

I wouldn't mind drafting a center. Though I wanted Wisneiwski to be our center of the future, it seems he is dominating at his uncle's old position. Samson Satele has stepped up big time, yet I still remember when he went down and we had to put Jared Veldheer at center, not cool.

I think a guy like Ben Burkett would be a nice fit. Six-foot-4, 300 lbs., definitley has the size.

Staying on the theme of offensive lineman, I wouldn't mind a guard or tackle either.

In the seventh round, maybe another safety, the Raiders are still looking for another great gunner on special teams to replace Eugune's production, I know in the past they have usually used a safety for that role, and if Chimdi Chekwa develops into a starter, they are going to want him to back off on special teams so who knows?

Let me know where you think we should go in rounds six and seven.

This Is Just for Fun!

Remember, this is just for fun. This is something I like to do, so I thought I might share it with my fellow Raider fans.

I know it is crazy early and things definitley change, but I just thought it might be fun for a few fans who are so amped up for the New England Patriot game, that this could be a fun little breather.

Like a kid who studies to hard for the SAT's, it is okay to relax!!!

Tell me what you all think, and go Raiders!!!