The Raiders have a number of different directions they can go in with the first pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. Most mock drafts have the Raiders selecting a QB with the first pick in the draft. JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn will be available for the Raiders to select with the first pick if they feel a QB is what will improve their team the most. Some organizations feel that a franchise QB like a Manning or Brady is essential to the success or failure of a football team. When looking at the Raiders it does not matter if Russell or Quinn turn out to be as good as Manning or Brady, what matters is they will count against the salary cap like Tom and Peyton. If the Raiders take a QB that player has to be an above average player, because any team can select a middle of the road talent in round five or six and it will cost about 30 million dollars less. When studying Super Bowl winners it is also evident that QB’s that have average talent are capable of being successful as long as they are surrounded by playmakers. How the Raiders feel about the QB position will determine which direction they go in the draft. The Raiders have 3rd year QB Andrew Walter as the current starter and free agent pick-up Josh Booty who would be the third QB at best. Looking back at the 2006 season it is hard to determine how good or bad Walter is, because the whole offensive scheme was such a disaster. The Raiders just recently completed OTA’s and that practice time with Walter taking the majority of the snaps will give head coach Lane Kiffin an idea of how effective he feels Walter could be in his system. It will be a big risk for the Raiders to commit millions to a QB this is why they must explore the other options they have with the first pick in the 2007 NFL Draft.
Another alternative the Raiders have is selecting the most talented player in the draft Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson. This is why the Raiders have begun contract talks with both WR Calvin Johnson and QB JaMarcus Russell. By talking to both players Oakland can determine which player would be easier to sign to a big contract. Although it was a mistake in 2006 one of the reasons Houston selected DE Mario Williams was because they felt it would be difficult to sign Reggie Bush and the Texans wanted to make sure they had their #1 pick in camp on time. Johnson would also be the less risky pick by far. If Oakland chose Johnson their only concern would be keeping him healthy.
Another option the Raiders should consider is trading the first pick and stockpiling extra picks to improve a 2-14 football team in a number of different areas. One rumor is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers want WR Calvin Johnson badly and they may be willing to trade from pick #4 all the way up to #1. If Oakland did that that would have a lot of extra picks which would allow them to add quality players to their offensive line. The only question is who would Oakland choose at #4. There is a possibility that Lane Kiffin could like QB Brady Quinn better than JaMarcus and if that is true it would make sense to trade down to number four and still come away with extra picks.
Randy Moss will also play a role in who Oakland drafts with the first pick. WR Randy Moss has made it clear that he wants to play for another team. If Oakland knows they are trading Moss then it would be wise to select Johnson with the first pick in the draft. For the Raiders to be successful they must have a player that defenses are scared of and Johnson is that kind of player. If Johnson is indeed the pick then the Raiders can use their second round pick to get a QB and it wont cost them a 30 million signing bonus to do it. A few weeks ago Oakland worked out QB Trent Edwards from Stanford and there is speculation that Bill Walsh has told Al Davis that Edwards has the potential to be a good NFL QB. There also has been talk between the Raiders and the Lions about backup QB Josh Mcnown. If Oakland makes a trade for a QB before draft day that may increase the chances that WR Calvin Johnson will be a Raider.
Another area of the Raiders that could be improved is the defense. The Raiders will probably use the middle rounds of the draft to add pieces to the defensive side of the ball. Oakland finished the 2006 season with the third best defense in the NFL. That defense can still be improved. Oakland needs depth at the DT position with 2007 possibly being Warren Sapp’s last season. DE Tyler Brayton plays the run very well, but Brayton does not have the ability to put pressure on the QB. Tyler finished the 2006 season with 42 tackles and 0 sacks. The Raiders need a DE that can rush the passer. DE Derrick Burgess had 11 sacks and he would be more effective if the Raiders had another DE capable of putting heat on the QB. The DE and DT positions are an area that the Raiders should be looking to improve through the draft.
Oakland’s first selection will determine how they approach the rest of the draft. If Oakland selects a QB with the number 1 pick and trades Randy Moss then they will need to fill a void at the WR position and they could address that need in the 2nd round of the Draft. If WR Jason Hill from Washington State or WR Steve Smith from USC is available at that point in the draft either player could become a deep threat in Oakland’s offense. If Oakland takes Johnson with the first pick then the QB position will be addressed either in round two or by a trade. One thing is certain and that is the Raiders will keep everyone guessing until the are on the clock on April 28, 2007.
