Oakland Raiders Forecast
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Oakland Raiders (4-12)
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(7) Vernon Davis, TE. Maryland
(38) Thomas Howard, OLB. UTEP
(69) Charles Spencer, OG. Pittsburgh
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The Raiders could have two draft picks per round and still be deficient on the field. The team has a bundle of needs that could be filled in a variety of ways on draft day. Most of the team needs lie on the defensive side of the ball. Up front, a big man in the middle is needed to fill the void of talent left behind by Ted Washington. With run-stuffing defensive tackles scarce in this draft class, the Raiders will have to find someone sooner than later to fill this need. On the edge, a pass rusher to compliment Derrick Burgess would be welcomed. In the secondary, a safety would round out the defensive backfield. In addition, the Raiders could stand to add a linebacker to play with Kirk Morrison and Danny Clark. Even they are a stretch as starters in the NFL. Offensively, the offensive line could use a true road-grader in the running game at right guard. Assuming Aaron Brooks is not the quarterback of the future for the franchise, finding a quality arm may be a priority.
(7) Vernon Davis, TE. Maryland
When has Al Davis ever filled a team need on draft day? He picks the best athlete available, period. Vernon Davis will be impossible to pass up on draft day for this reason. The only player to prevent this selection would be Vince Young. Davis is simply too talented. At 6'4"/263, Davis has good size. His 4.38 speed is unparalleled at the position. It is the fastest timing for a tight end in combine history. His 42" vertical allows him to go up and for the jump ball, and his 33 strength reps @ 225lbs make him stronger than most offensive lineman. He is the brand of athlete that Al Davis loves. Davis gives the Raiders a dangerous option in the passing game.
(38) Thomas Howard, OLB. UTEP
Thomas Howard is a safety with corner abilities trapped inside a linebacker's body. Needless to say, he is freakishly athletic. Having originally walked-on at UTEP as a safety, Howard gained twenty pounds during his freshman year and was abruptly moved to outside linebacker. Having had experience at safety, his coverage abilities are supurb. His 4.42 speed is capable of covering most number one's in the NFL. His 6'3"/239 size could be slightly improved upon, but Howard is by no means undersized. To boot, his pass rushing skills are excellent. Howard is still developing and may need time before he becomes a thirty down linebacker in the NFL, but he has the potential to redefine the position. Nevertheless, Al Davis loves players with speed and needs to draft at least two linebackers. Howard is a leading candidate to wear the silver and black.
(69) Charles Spencer, OG. Pittsburgh
With the pick at #36 not presenting good value to draft an offensive guard, the Raiders will surely address their need in the offensive front in the third round. Charles Spencer from Pittsburgh would be a very solid third round pick. Spencer is a converted defensive tackle who weghs in at 355 without losing his nimbleness or athleticism. He is an outstanding run blocker that has shown flashes of utter dominance. His 5.28 speed is incredibly impressive considering his size. He is a hard-working team leader that has the desire to be great. He has the athletic skill to develop into a top offensive guard in the NFL.
(*) Vince Young, QB. Texas
Al Davis loves athletes: the more pure, the better. Recent first-round selections like Fabian Washington (CB, 2005), Phillip Buchannon (CB, 2002), Nnamdi Asomugha (CB, 2003), and Napolean Harris (MLB, 2002) suggest that Al Davis is willing to weigh athleticism over on-the-field production and intangibles. Aside from Reggie Bush, no football player in the draft is quite as outstanding as Vince Young. Vince Young can do things on the field that few people alive would dream of doing. He has size, speed, and a rocket for an arm. Put a quick release and lightning-fast decision-making skills on top of that, and you may just have the best quarterback prototype ever created. If Vince Young manages to slip out of the the top five, he will be staring Al Davis in the face at #7. I find it hard to believe that Haloti Ngata will be taken over Vince Young. Independent of having drafted Andrew Walter in the early third round last year, Vince Young may well be in the silver and black on draft day.
Oakland Raiders (4-12)
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(7) Vernon Davis, TE. Maryland
(38) Thomas Howard, OLB. UTEP
(69) Charles Spencer, OG. Pittsburgh
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The Raiders could have two draft picks per round and still be deficient on the field. The team has a bundle of needs that could be filled in a variety of ways on draft day. Most of the team needs lie on the defensive side of the ball. Up front, a big man in the middle is needed to fill the void of talent left behind by Ted Washington. With run-stuffing defensive tackles scarce in this draft class, the Raiders will have to find someone sooner than later to fill this need. On the edge, a pass rusher to compliment Derrick Burgess would be welcomed. In the secondary, a safety would round out the defensive backfield. In addition, the Raiders could stand to add a linebacker to play with Kirk Morrison and Danny Clark. Even they are a stretch as starters in the NFL. Offensively, the offensive line could use a true road-grader in the running game at right guard. Assuming Aaron Brooks is not the quarterback of the future for the franchise, finding a quality arm may be a priority.
Vernon Davis is the best athlete in the
draft. Al Davis simply can't pass on him.
(7) Vernon Davis, TE. Maryland
When has Al Davis ever filled a team need on draft day? He picks the best athlete available, period. Vernon Davis will be impossible to pass up on draft day for this reason. The only player to prevent this selection would be Vince Young. Davis is simply too talented. At 6'4"/263, Davis has good size. His 4.38 speed is unparalleled at the position. It is the fastest timing for a tight end in combine history. His 42" vertical allows him to go up and for the jump ball, and his 33 strength reps @ 225lbs make him stronger than most offensive lineman. He is the brand of athlete that Al Davis loves. Davis gives the Raiders a dangerous option in the passing game.
Thomas Howard is an amazing, Al-Davis type,
athlete that fills a huge need at linebacker
(38) Thomas Howard, OLB. UTEP
Thomas Howard is a safety with corner abilities trapped inside a linebacker's body. Needless to say, he is freakishly athletic. Having originally walked-on at UTEP as a safety, Howard gained twenty pounds during his freshman year and was abruptly moved to outside linebacker. Having had experience at safety, his coverage abilities are supurb. His 4.42 speed is capable of covering most number one's in the NFL. His 6'3"/239 size could be slightly improved upon, but Howard is by no means undersized. To boot, his pass rushing skills are excellent. Howard is still developing and may need time before he becomes a thirty down linebacker in the NFL, but he has the potential to redefine the position. Nevertheless, Al Davis loves players with speed and needs to draft at least two linebackers. Howard is a leading candidate to wear the silver and black.
(69) Charles Spencer, OG. Pittsburgh
With the pick at #36 not presenting good value to draft an offensive guard, the Raiders will surely address their need in the offensive front in the third round. Charles Spencer from Pittsburgh would be a very solid third round pick. Spencer is a converted defensive tackle who weghs in at 355 without losing his nimbleness or athleticism. He is an outstanding run blocker that has shown flashes of utter dominance. His 5.28 speed is incredibly impressive considering his size. He is a hard-working team leader that has the desire to be great. He has the athletic skill to develop into a top offensive guard in the NFL.
Al Davis loves pure athletes, and Vince Young
is as good as it gets in that department
(*) Vince Young, QB. Texas
Al Davis loves athletes: the more pure, the better. Recent first-round selections like Fabian Washington (CB, 2005), Phillip Buchannon (CB, 2002), Nnamdi Asomugha (CB, 2003), and Napolean Harris (MLB, 2002) suggest that Al Davis is willing to weigh athleticism over on-the-field production and intangibles. Aside from Reggie Bush, no football player in the draft is quite as outstanding as Vince Young. Vince Young can do things on the field that few people alive would dream of doing. He has size, speed, and a rocket for an arm. Put a quick release and lightning-fast decision-making skills on top of that, and you may just have the best quarterback prototype ever created. If Vince Young manages to slip out of the the top five, he will be staring Al Davis in the face at #7. I find it hard to believe that Haloti Ngata will be taken over Vince Young. Independent of having drafted Andrew Walter in the early third round last year, Vince Young may well be in the silver and black on draft day.