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Tomorrow is the big day. All of the waiting and debating will be over. The world will know who the Oakland Raiders will be pinning their hopes on. Raider X makes his last predraft appearance to break down the scenario that he sees unfolding, and offers some advice for Al Davis and the Raider organization.

The State of the Raiders on draft eve

by Raider X

Special to Thoughts from the Dark Side 

Well, well, well..... It's almost time for the 2008 NFL Collegiate Draft.  Unlike previous years the Raiders are devoid of picks.  Without researching it, I bet it's the lightest of early picks since the Raiders had to trade for 2nd round pick named Steve Wisnewski back in the day.

So once again adjusting my picks due to other teams drafting, the tuna helpers sign Jake Long.  The Rams seem to be the first wild card.  I didn't realize Rams lineman and 2007 first round pick Adam Carriker is up to 315 lbs.  That means he's bigger than Tommy Kelly. Despite Dorsey reportedly being the top rated guy on their board, I think they go Chris Long.  Pick 3 is all about value to the Atlanta Falcons.  Matt Ryan is not a great value at pick 3 despite the teams need for a QB.  I think they go for Glenn Dorsey at pick 3 and then use their vast amount of picks to get a QB in round 2 or even trading up for one in round one.

So that leaves the Raiders with no Chris Long and Glenn Dorsey so the Raiders are stuck with a choice.  There's super athletic RB named Darren McFadden, a super athletic DE named Vernon Gholston, super strong DT Sedrick Ellis.

There is also another choice.  The Raiders could *gasp*... trade down.  That's right Al.  I know this seems foreign to you (or the employee who tracks what various people around the net are saying about the Raiders) could take your pick and turn it into more picks.  But where do the Raiders trade down to?  As Lane Kiffin stated earlier today (via Jason Jones of the Sac Bee-Shameful plug), he doubts the Raiders are going to finish with just 5 picks because it would be a room full of men with nothing to do.  Sounds like Michael Vick and soon Wesley Snipes at prison shower time.  I think the Raiders are REALLY going to look hard to trade down from pick four.

First is the simple trade down and there could be a few takers.  First off you have the New York Jets sitting at pick 6 and wanting Darren Mcfadden or Vernon Gholston. I know RB is not a big need for the Jets but here is an uneducated school of thought.  The Jets are sitting between a coach they probably don't like and a coach their coach doesn't like.  Each of those teams around the Jets has plenty of picks.  Granted, the team right behind us is the McCoys and I'm sure Al isn't going to want to deal with the Patriots because of what "happened" last year with Randy No Loss, but the Jets don't need to know that.  All they would have to give up is a 1, 2, and 4.  The Jets get who they want and the Raiders could nab someone like Ellis.

The next wave where there is a trade down with a team like the Bears.  They could use Darren Mcfadden like the Cubs could use a World Series ring.  Moving down to pick 14 would take quite a few picks.  I am guessing a 1, 2, 3 and maybe a pick next year.  They add Mcfadden and den the Raiders add the means to fill their holes (That's what she said).  At pick 14 they could add in a SAM Lb like Keith Rivers, a WR they have inexplicably met with in Devin Thomas, or a potential steal if available in DE Derrick Harvey.

Of course there is the mother load.  The trading the 4th overall to the Dallas Cowboys can draft Jerrah Jones favorite McFadden. Trade chart?  You think Al goes by trade charts?  I don't, I think Al would get 22, 28, their 2nd, 3rd round picks and a pick next year, plus maybe a player.  I don't think this is as likely as people would think because 4-6 players would be way too much for 1 player.  However the Cowboys are built to win now, Jerry needs to win another title to pay for his face to be vacuumed back up, and you have a player they covet.

Then there are Raiders players that could be dealt for draft picks.  Fabian Washington is the player most mentioned due to the acquisition of D'Angelo Hall.  Fabian would be best served by being traded to a Cover-2 type scheme, like the one ran in Detroit or Indy, which both have needs at corner.

Andrew Walter is being held hostage as backup QB.  For a team that won't be able to land a QB in round 1 or 2, Andrew could be a good value for them.  Granted the Raiders need a backup QB anyways and going to the season with one QB who was here last year, who is going into year 1/2 would be foolish and irresponsible.  Sorry Andrew, maybe next year.

Lamont Jordan wants to go to San Diego to play for Norv.  Hey Al, grant him his wish, you get a player in return, you clear almost five million from the cap and get rid of another locker room problem.  Besides if you can trade for Gerard Warren from Denver, why can't you deal Jordan to SD for a 4th?  BTW, where the hell has Gerard Warren been all offseason?

And now, random draft thoughts:

Jason Taylor could be had for a first round pick?  Yeah, maybe back in 2002 that would've worked.  Look, I love the guy, I am pretty sure he still owns the deed to Barry Sims ass but at 34, no would give that up.  Maybe you're 2nd round pick and Taylor for the chance to move up to get a QB in round 1 and another pick.

I was watching ESPN and they had the Bears owner singing to Brian Urlacher.   I almost thought I was listening to MTV until I realized they don't play music anymore.  Speaking of music, I am not going to lie and I thought Soldier Boy or whatever his name is, was a song and not a singer/rapper or whatever he is.

Next song that should be sung to a player by an owner should be either "End of the Road" by the Bengals owner to Chad Johnson or "Have a Drink on Me" by Ziggy Wolf of Minnesota to new DE Jared Allen.

Brett Favre is on the Madden cover.  I guess there's one way to avoid the jinx. If the pattern continues like this next year, my vote for the Madden 2010 cover is... LaDanian Tomlinson.

There is a rumor floating around that Shawne Merriman failed another drug test.  I don't want to work hard enough to give you the link because it's from a message board and unless it's finalized by the NFL, I don't care and it's just a rumor.  That would be great to think Jared Allen and Shawne Merriman could be gone next year.  The Raiders would give up like 10 sacks less next season.  I do find it funny though that 3/7ths of their starting front 7 has been popped for steroids.

That's it for now my little X Lovers, Likers, Men, Women.  Whatever name you want to call yourself is cool with me.  Though nothing will ever top this moniker.

Raider fans

Raider X is a special correspondent for Thoughts from the Dark Side. He protects his identity for political purposes. If you would like to contribute to a Thoughts from a Reader's Side email me at mvnraider at yahoo.com.