2011 NFL Draft: Oakland Raiders analysis and prediction

Wednesday, 27 April 2011 07:51

WHERE THEY NEED HELP: Defensive secondary, offensive line

ANALYSIS: The Raiders had their best season since 2002. Darren McFadden finally looked like the player he was expected to be when he came out of Arkansas rushing for 1,157 yards. Jason Campbell is serviceable at quarterback. Linebacker Rolando McClain, the player the Giants and their fans wanted, justified his being picked 8th last year starting 15 games and recording 85 tackles. The problem for the Raiders is that they face losing three of their top three players to free agency in cornerback Nnamdi Asonugha, safety Michael Huff and guard Robert Gallery. The Raiders will have to do it later in the draft, as they do not have a first round pick.

WHAT THEY SHOULD DO: In the second round address the secondary with someone like cornerback Jimmy Smith of Colorado, cornerback Ras-l Dowling of Virginia or safety Rahim Moore of UCLA if he is still available. Other than that, it will be best athlete available.

WHERE THEY ARE EXPECTED TO USE THE FIRST PICK: The Raiders do not have a first round pick, having sent that to the New England Patriots two seasons ago for defensive tackle Richard Seymour.

2011 NFL MOCK DRAFT WITH TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS AND PREDICTIONS

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2011 NFL DRAFT TEAM-BY-TEAM ANALYSIS AND PREDICTIONS