No. 48 Pick in 2011 Reader Mock: Raiders on the Clock

[Walter]

Voting for the No. 31 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. Who will be the pick?

Results and some comments will be posted here.


http://walterfootball.com/draft2011reader.php


1. Panthers - Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri
2. Broncos - Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
3. Bills - Cam Newton, QB, Bengals
4. Bengals - A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
5. Cardinals - Von Miller, DE/OLB, Texas A&M
6. Browns - Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
7. 49ers - Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
8. Titans - Nick Fairley, DT, Auburn
9. Cowboys - Tyron Smith, OT, USC
10. Redskins - Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
11. Texans - Robert Quinn, DE/OLB, North Carolina
12. Vikings - Da'Quan Bowers, DE, Clemson
13. Lions - Anthony Castonzo, OT, Boston College
14. Rams - Aldon Smith, DE, Missouri
15. Dolphins - Mark Ingram, RB, Alabama
16. Jaguars - Ryan Kerrigan, DE, Purdue
17. Patriots - Cameron Jordan, DE/DT, California
18. Chargers - J.J. Watt, DE/DT, Wisconsin
19. Giants - Mike Pouncey, G, Florida
20. Buccaneers - Justin Houston, DE, Georgia
21. Chiefs - Phil Taylor, NT, Baylor
22. Colts - Gabe Carimi, OT, Wisconsin
23. Eagles - Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
24. Saints - Corey Liuget, DT, Illinois
25. Seahawks - Jake Locker, QB, Washington
26. Ravens - Cameron Heyward, DE/DT, Ohio State
27. Falcons - Adrian Clayborn, DE, Iowa
28. Patriots - Derek Sherrod, OT, Mississippi State
29. Bears - Nate Solder, OT, Colorado
30. Jets - Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT, Temple
31. Steelers - Aaron Williams, CB/FS, Texas
32. Packers - Brooks Reed, DE/OLB, Arizona


Marcus Cannon
Ras-I Dowling
Davon House
Rodney Hudson
Colin Kaepernick
Jabaal Sheard
Torrey Smith
Titus Young
Danny Watkins
Stefen Wisniewski

[Walter]

Why not do one for the Raiders?

[whatdoyouwant711]

Why not do one for the Raiders?

Because we don't have picks 33-47 to determine who's on board...

Based on the list you provided, I'd roll with Marcus Cannon.

[vikingsteve26]

It sounds like they're going to lose Robert Gallery. Based on that, I voted Marcus Cannon.

[Classic Silver and Black]

I firmly believe that Al Davis feels like his team is set at the cornerback position. He gave a ****load of money to Stanford Routt and still hopes that the lockout will result in another uncapped year or in no free agency period to keep Nnamdi. But even if Nnamdi leaves Coach Davis won't draft a CB in day 2, he'll probably take a pure potential prospect at the position in the late rounds, like he does every year.

You can also write down that all the Kaepernick interest is a smoke screen, or better just an evaluation in the (extremely improbable) eventuality that he' still available on day 3. But Hue Jackson already uncovered Oakland cards about the QB position: they are not bringing in an early round talent that may threaten Jason Campbell in the short period. The front office knows that the key for a 2011 playoff run for this team resides in one most important variable, Jason Campbell's confidence. If the former Redskins signal caller feels like he's the safe starter in a familiar system then he may finally be able to perform at his level of talent.

This analysis leaves the Offensive Line as the area of need to which the Raiders will direct their early draft attention, surely with their 2nd round pick and maybe even with their 3rd round one.
If all the players given as possible options in this reader mock will really be available for Davis and Jackson to choose at No 47, I believe the pick will be Danny Watkins. Recently Al Davis said the he really wants to win another Superbowl while he still is in this world. Ok, I know that many people on this forum think he's undead and so he's going to stay as long as some virgins blood is sacrificed to him, but jokes aside the man will be 82 before next season starts. This means he wants to win now rather than later and he feels like he's just one or two draft away from having a title contending team. So he'll disregard a concern like a player's age and he'll go strictly BPA in terms of measurables. When OL is concerned, this means not just speed but even more muscular bulk, size and pure strength. Cross these features with the fact that the Raiders OL is transitioning away from a ZBS to a man on man power push style and that Robert Gallery won't be resigned, what you have is Danny Watkins matching perfectly Al Davis plans.

[BobLoblaw]

The Raiders obviously need offensive line help. LG, C, and RT are all positions they may look at during the draft (Al will force Bruce Campbell into the starting lineup at RG and Veldheer earned the starting LT position). They typically don't focus on the line early, but if Wisniewski is there his lineage and the fact that his uncle is currently an assistant on the offensive line makes him a very likely pick. If he isn't there, it's looking more and more like they'll go CB. They must not be as high on Chris Johnson as they once were, because they're bringing in tons of CBs for visits. Any big, fast, CB is a possibility. If Jimmy Smith starts to fall into the second round, they might go after him.

Finally, there are some other guys who wouldn't surprise me. I seriously doubt he'll be there, but I don't think the Kaepernick love is a smokescreen. Al loves Campbell, but Hue Jackson doesn't have to sell Al on replacing Campbell at QB, just on getting someone in just in case something happens. After the Russell debacle, I think he could sell that. They've also brought in Taiwan Jones and love anyone with that speed. Bush might not be around, McFadden is bit injury prone, and McFadden showed he can run it up the middle, so a smaller speed guy isn't out of the question. They also need an OLB across from Wimbley. Since they use 3-4 LBs at 4-3 OLB nowadays, speed rushers available here could be taken.

[wraith36444]

Whatever Bob says. He called the Mike Mitchell pick a few years back

[evilhomer]

Im sure raiders fans will enjoy being included in this and their picks always have the possibility of entertainment so why not?

From the options included they've drafted WR frequently recently so I excluded that as well as QB since they invested in Campbell last year and still have Gradkowski signed I think. They paid handsomely to routt while letting go of Aso so they may actually have a plan at CB. That leaves OL and Sheard as options on whats given and I have to admit to being the guy that chose Sheard. OL can be picked throughout the draft but it can be hard to find the right pass-rusher for a defense and seeing that even in this poll there are several options at OL to draft while only one DE/OLB guy available it seems logical to take Sheard and add that piece to a defense than work towards building the OL later on in FA or draft.

[Phatal]

The winner of the poll was the pick, lol.