What Should Oakland Do?

Let me start by saying that I've always been a fan of trading down, especially for a bad team with multiple needs to fill. If there is even a halfway decent option to trade down available, I think that the Raiders should jump on it. That said, it takes two to make a deal, and without a trading partner, Oakland will end up drafting first come noon.

If they still hold the number one pick, the choice that makes the most sense for the Raiders is JaMarcus Russell. Yes, taking a quarterback is always a dicey proposition high in the draft, but it is a need that the Raiders absolutely have to fill, and soon. Taking the consensus top QB with the first choice would make plenty of sense for Oakland.

Still, if I'm Oakland, I'm keeping all of my options open. Despite the fact that they've signed two free agent running backs in as many years, neither Lamont Jordan or Dominic Rhodes strikes me as a true number one tailback. Even though it would leave them with a glut at the running back position, drafting Adrian Peterson would be, in my opinion, a great choice. Drafting Peterson number one overall however, would be considered a reach by many, so I don't expect the Raiders to take him. If they could trade down though...

Call it the Charger's model. In 2001, San Diego traded out of the top spot, took a franchise (potential future hall of fame?) running back fifth, and still got the quarterback they needed in the top of the second round, and got bonus picks to boot. I'm not saying that Peterson is the next LaDainian Tomlinson, but if the Raiders can get Peterson, a quarterback in the second round, and even something like a third and a fifth round choice for trading down, that would be a great draft.

As I'm typing this, I am reading that the Raiders have said they are prepared to take Russell first overall, so any talk of trading down now is likely moot. They'll be on the clock in less then 10 minutes now, so we'll see soon. Don and I plan on posting throughout the draft, so keep checking back.