The NFL released the tentative order for this year’s NFL Draft.
The Raiders alternate positions with Kansas City, Atlanta and the New York Jets after the first round because all finished with 4-12 records.
Here are the current Raider picks:
First round, fourth pick
Second round, third pick,
Third round, no choice, traded to New England last year to draft OT Mario Henderson
Round four, fifth pick,
Round five, no choice, traded to Denver for DT Gerard Warren
Round six, third choice
Round seven, sixth choice
For those wondering why the Raiders haven’t traded pick to get a player, you can see the why. Having already dealt two picks, it wouldn’t make sense to continue trading picks and further depleting the draft class.
The best teams aren't built by trading away picks for players. The best teams draft and develop their own.
The best way to add draft picks at this point might be to trade down in the first round.
Teams aren’t going to give picks for someone like LaMont Jordan when it’s likely he would be cut, thus sparing the new team of paying his salary.
A deal for Andrew Walter might snag a late round pick, but he’s the only other quarterback on the roster besides JaMarcus Russell.
The Raiders do have plenty cornerbacks. While there has been speculation the Raiders might trade safety Michael Huff, trading an extra corner like Fabian Washington makes more sense.
Assuming that doesn’t happen, the Raiders probably need to go heavy on offense early in the draft.
Free agency has been devoted to defense thus far. If the Raiders grant Lane Kiffin’s wish to pick up starters in the first two rounds, tackle Jake Long or tackle Ryan Clady could be a first-round option with a receiver coming in the second round.
*The Commitment to Excellence Award dinner honoring Justin Fargas will be hosted by Steering Committee for the Booster Clubs of the Oakland Raiders this Friday at the Oakland Airport Hilton.
It’s a black tie optional dinner.
If you want to go, call (650) 428-0810 for more information.
*The Raiders officially placed DT Warren Sapp on the reserve/retired list today.
That means he won't count against the Raiders' roster numbers, nor will the salary he won't be paid ($5.15 million). That can now go re-signing players like Jarrod Cooper.
If for some reason Sapp gets the urge to play, the Raiders retain his rights.
--Jason Jones
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