19 DAYS TO THE NFL DRAFT
NFL Draft Preview:
On The Ticker
On the Board: Oakland Raiders....
Holding the number seven pick in this year's NFL draft, would it really surprise anyone if the Raiders did something out of the ordinary, took a huge leap, or risked their pick on a potential flyer? If I'm a betting man, I say yes and "bet the farm." The recent reports circulating are the team is enamored with and could be targeting one of this year's fastest wide receiver prospects, Darrius Heyward-Bey (University of Maryland).
The Raiders team owner Al Davis has always been a proponent of the vertical game and with quarterback JaMarcus Russell's canon arm, the team needs playmakers he can throw to. Last season the offense ranked dead last in passing averaging a paltry 148-yards per game and had only five pass plays of more than 40-yards in 2008, among the lowest totals in the league.
Wide receiver Javon Walker has been a bust since his arrival to Oakland and Ronald Curry (released in the offseason) fell off the map in 2008 with just 19 receptions. Drafting Heyward-Bey at the number seven spot could help revamp a receiving corp that lacks any real playmaking skill and depth. Currently Walker and Johnnie Lee Higgins would be the teams projected starters. Heyward-Bey has great size at 6'3" and blistering speed (4.30 at the combine). If he lands in Oakland he'll have a legitimate shot at starting for the Raiders.
(Photo By Greg Fiume / Terps Sports Photography)
If the Raiders can control their emotions, this would be a great spot to land one of the top offensive linemen in the draft. Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe are projected to be gone before the draft gets to the Raiders pick, but they'll still have some choices to consider with Alabama's Andre Smith and Michael Oher. Either of these could be safe picks, but then is that the Raider way?
There's no question that Heyward-Bey would be a work in progress, but the old saying is "Speed kills" and you know that is something Mr. Davis loves. It could be a stretch for the Raiders to make this pick considering how much re-work this team really needs in many other areas, but don't put it past Mr. Davis to reach into his bag of tricks on draft day.
Check back every day for more "On the Ticker!"
There's no question that Heyward-Bey would be a work in progress, but the old saying is "Speed kills" and you know that is something Mr. Davis loves. It could be a stretch for the Raiders to make this pick considering how much re-work this team really needs in many other areas, but don't put it past Mr. Davis to reach into his bag of tricks on draft day.
Check back every day for more "On the Ticker!"
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