Draft Analysis: Oakland Raiders Team Needs

April 22, 2008 @ 11:30:03

By Kostas Bolos
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

2007 Finish: 4-12 (AFC West - 4th Place), Non-playoff team

2008 Draft Pick: 4th Overall

Key Positional Needs: WR, OT, C, DE, DT, LB, KR

Head Coach: Lane Kiffin

Offensive Coordinator: Greg Knapp

Defensive Coordinator: Rob Ryan

Key Losses: QB Josh McCown (UFA - Miami Dolphins), QB Daunte Culpepper (UFA - unsigned), WR Jerry Porter (UFA - Jacksonville Jaguars), OT Barry Sims (UFA - released), DL Tyler Brayton (UFA - Carolina Panthers), DL Chris Clemons (UFA - Philadelphia Eagles), CB Chris Carr (RFA - Tennessee Titans)

Key Additions: CB DeAngelo Hall (acquired via trade - Atlanta Falcons), WR Javon Walker (signed - Denver Broncos), WR Drew Carter (signed - Carolina Panthers), OT Kwame Harris (signed - San Francisco 49ers), C John Wade (signed - Tampa Bay Buccaneers), SS Gibril Wilson (signed - New York Giants), DL Kalimba Edwards (signed - Detroit Lions)

Key Offensive Positions Needed

Quarterback

The Raiders are set at the quarterback position with JaMarcus Russell, who the team selected with the first overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. However, Russell will be entering his first full season as a pro starter and could go through his share of growing pains. The organization would like to upgrade the backup position, but expect them to do so in the latter stages of free agency.

Running Back

The team possesses plenty of depth at the position with the likes of Justin Fargas, Dominic Rhodes, LaMont Jordan and second-year pro Michael Bush, but do not be surprised if managing general partner Al Davis targets Arkansas running back Darren McFadden with the fourth overall pick. Davis is said to be infatuated with McFadden's speed and big-play potential, and he certainly would add another dimension to the Oakland offense.

Wide Receiver

The Raiders added Javon Walker (knee) and Drew Carter in the offseason to help bolster their receiving corps. However, both players have battled injuries throughout their respective careers and should not be looked at as long-term solutions. Look for the team to perhaps target a wide receiver with speed in the middle rounds of the draft, a player they can groom for the future. Last season, the Raiders did not have a receiver with more than 55 receptions and 717 yards. 

Tight End

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Offensive Tackle

Free agent Kwame Harris was added in the offseason, but the offensive tackle position remains a key area the team must look to improve. At this point, Harris is penciled in as the team's starting left tackle - potentially a scary thought. Offensive line coach Tom Cable did a masterful job of resurrecting the unit last season, but the organization must find a way to protect Russell's blind side long-term. If still available, University of Michigan tackle Jake Long and perhaps even Boise State's Ryan Clady could be targeted with the fourth overall pick.

Offensive Guard

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Center

The Raiders have had difficulty solidifying the center position since Barret Robbins went AWOL during Super Bowl XXXVII. Jake Grove, a second-round pick in 2004, has been considered a huge disappointment since Oakland started employing the zone-blocking scheme. Expect free-agent addition John Wade to compete with Grove for the starting job this season. The team could look to the middle rounds of the draft to find their center of the future.

Key Defensive Positions Needed

Defensive End

Oakland's Achilles' heel the last several seasons has been its defensive line. Oakland had the fifth-fewest sacks in the league last season with 27. Kalimba Edwards was added this offseason, but he has been an enigma his entire career. Jay Richardson, a fifth-round selection in last year's draft, was a pleasant surprise in 2007. However, he provided little in terms of pressuring the quarterback. Ohio State's Vernon Gholston would be an intriguing selection for the Raiders, if available, as he could prove to be a nice complement to pass-rushing specialist Derrick Burgess.

Defensive Tackle

Not only did the Raiders defensive line generate so few sacks in 2007, they also were abysmal stopping the run. Oakland yielded a league-worst 4.8 yards per rush last season. The interior of the defensive line should be improved with Tommy Kelly moving back to his more natural position after the retirement of Warren Sapp in the offseason. The team is also hoping Terdell Sands can bounce back after a dismal 2007 campaign. Nevertheless, the position needs bolstering. Louisiana State defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey and Southern California's Sedrick Ellis are prospects Oakland could look at in the first round. 

Linebacker

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position as it is anchored by a couple of potential Pro Bowlers in middle linebacker Kirk Morrison and weakside linebacker Thomas Howard. The team could look to upgrade the strongside position, however, as both Robert Thomas and Sam Williams have done little to distinguish themselves. 

Cornerback

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Free Safety

With the signing of free agent Gibril Wilson in the offseason, Michael Huff is expected to move back to his natural position of free safety. Huff should finally evolve into the playmaker the team had envisioned when they selected him seventh overall in the 2006 NFL Draft. Do not look for the team to significantly address the position.

Strong Safety

The addition of Wilson should provide the Raiders with a sure-tackling presence - something the organization has not had from the strong safety position in what seems like forever. Wilson's 284 solo tackles since 2004 are the most of any safety during that span. Don't look for the position to be significantly addressed in the draft.

Key Special Teams Positions Needed

Place Kicker

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Punter

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Return Specialist

Ideally, the Raiders would like to find a return specialist in the later rounds of the draft as the team's return game was non-existent in 2007. Oakland lost its top kick returner in Chris Carr, who signed with the Tennessee Titans as a restricted free agent. Carr averaged just 22.5 yards per kick return and 6.5 yards per punt return last season, not scoring a touchdown.

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Kostas Bolos
Bolos has been a KFFL Hot Off the Wire Analyst and contributor since 2006.

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