Oakland Raiders 2009 NFL Draft Needs

After reaching the Super Bowl in 2003, it’s been one terrible season after another for Silver and Black faithful to endure. To take something positive away from the 2008 season, the Raiders did win their last two regular season games and hopefully the team will be able to build on those wins early in 2009. Oakland’s problems have been more related to coaching and management than player personnel in my opinion. Hopefully, Tom Cable will be the right guy to get this storied franchise back on its feet.

Biggest Draft Needs – Before the Raiders can really make a judgment on QB JaMarcus Russell, they are going to have to give him something to work with. Wide receiver Javon Walker turned out to be a complete disaster as the team forked over big cash to watch him miss considerable action. It would be nice for the Raiders to bring in a true lead receiver who could grow up with Russell. The Raiders could use upgrades at both offensive tackle spots where Cornell Green and Kwame Harris (free agent) are both subpar pass protectors. Defensively, the team would benefit from a massive run-stuffing tackle.

Likely Day 1 Targets – Owner Al Davis might not be able to resist Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree should he fall into the Raiders lap. I think Crabtree would be a great pick as he is the best wide receiver in this year’s draft and he would also fill one of Oakland’s biggest needs. At 6′3”, 220 pounds, Crabtree is a beast of a wideout. He has big hands and outstanding body control to make catches in traffic. He also has the power and explosion to make big plays after the catch. He has been compared to Pro Bowl wide receivers Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald, and I don’t think these comparisons are out of line at all.

If Crabtree is off the board, the Raiders will likely be looking at Missouri wide receiver Jeremy Maclin or Florida wide receiver Percy Harvin. If Al Davis isn’t sold on these guys, Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji could fill their need for a run stuffer. Raji’s stock continues to rise as teams are falling in love with this wide-bodied nose tackle with sweet feet.

Recent Draft Track Record – It’s hard to judge the level of talent currently on this roster because of all the different coaches and systems the players have had to deal with year after year. QB JaMarcus Russell started to show flashes despite a poor wide receiver corps to throw to last season. Darren McFadden was a solid contributor when he was on the field (787 total yards, 4 TDs). The Raiders struck gold in 2003 with 31st overall pick Nnamdi Asomugha who is now one of the games best corners. Wide receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins, picked in the 3rd round in 2007, is a premier return specialist. But Safety Michael Huff is not panning out like the Raiders expected and neither is offensive lineman Robert Gallery, who was moved to guard after struggling at tackle.

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