The Draft Approaches ...

17 days, 20 Hours, 15 Minutes, 14 seconds until the 2008 NFL Draft. The teams are in their War Rooms discussing who will go where and who should we select. In the Oakland Raiders War Room there are several scenarios being played out. Conventional wisdom says that the Raiders still need to address the Defensive Line and go after a Defensive Tackle or a Defensive End. But in this years 1st round that means the decision is between Glenn Dorsey, Sedrick Ellis, Chris Long. More than likely two of these guys will be off the board when the Raiders pick comes up.

Several Raider fans have been going at it and arguing that Darren McFadden should be the guy selected. The feeling is that he is the best athlete in the draft and a potential franchise running back capable of scoring from anywhere on the field. That maybe true and he is a tremendous talent. However, everyone who thinks he should be the guy has to ask themselves 1) Did the Raiders run the ball well last year? 2) Shouldn't the Raiders use RB Michael Bush? 3) The Raiders have alot of money tied up in the RB position, should they add $20 million guaranteed to that position when other positions are bigger needs?

I feel that when draft day comes we'll here "...with the 4th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft the Oakland Raiders select Sedrick Ellis DT USC." In the event Chris Long is available he would be the guy. When you're spending $20 million you have to be sure. The Raiders have an abundance of running backs and I would use Darren McFadden as trade bait in the event the Jets, Patriots or Ravens want to trade up and provide the Raiders draft picks for the #4 spot. It looks like the Patriots and the Jets both want McFadden, Vernon Gholston or Keith Rivers. If the Raiders can trade with either AFC East opponents acquire a 3rd round pick and still be able to draft Sedrick Ellis or Keith Rivers it is a win-win situation. Stay tuned.