Oakland Raiders 2010 NFL Draft Grade

OAKLAND

1.8 Rolando McClain, ILB, Alabama
McClain is a better fit in Oakland than some think, and he fills a major need. Actually a pretty decent pick even if they could have landed him seven or eight spots later. They traded Kirk Morrison and the suspected move to the 3-4 makes this an ever tighter fit. He was easily the best 3-4 linebacker prospect in my mind, and Al Davis finally took production and intelligence over potential. You got me again, you son of a bitch. GRADE: A

2.44 Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas
Houston was a bit of a reach, but at least the pick makes sense from a 3-4 angle. He’ll be a great 5-tech with more activeness in the pass rushing department at that position. He was productive in Texas under a respected and innovative defensive coordinator and has great athleticism. Another decent move. GRADE: B-

3.69 Jared Veldheer, OT, Hillsdale
I was sure it was Bruce Campbell in the first. Now they get him in the fourth, and a possibly better tackle here. Oakland nabbed a developmental tackle with high upside in Jared Veldheer, and he’s more of the road-grading type Al Davis likes. And at around 6-09, he fits the freak mold. GRADE: B

3ROUND GRADE: B

4.106 Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland
Nothing wrong with landing Campbell here. I was among those who pegged him to Oakland without a thought, and ole Al pulled a fast one and slow played the draft, mining Campbell, a major upside guy, in the fourth. GRADE: B

4.108 Jacoby Ford, WR, Clemson
Al Davis woke up. Not that I don’t like Ford and Campbell in these spots, but they’re both workout warriors. Ford was the fastest guy at the combine, sort of, and that was enough for Oakland. They needed return help. GRADE: B

5.138 Walter McFadden, CB, Auburn
Another solid pick from Oakland. Auburn has a decent history with defensive players in this league, especially corners, and McFadden has good bloodlines, his brother Bryant is a Cardinal Steeler, and was a late riser with the right kind of upside in coverage. GRADE: B

6.190 Travis Goethel, ILB, Arizona State
Sure looks like Oakland is gearing up to install a 30 front. Goethel is a very athletic inside linebacker that might have a bright future in this system where he won’t be on an island in the middle. Solid depth. GRADE: C+

7.215 Jeremy Ware, DB, Michigan State
More speed for the suddenly nostalgic Al Davis. Ware grabbed some attention with his speed at the Michigan State pro day, but I don’t know if he’s good enough to find a home outside of specials. GRADE: D

7.251 Stevie Brown, S, Michigan
Might be an underrated player. Brown is a tough safety who plays the run very well. He’s a guy that will get on the field on specials with a shot to work into the famous Al Davis DB rotation. GRADE: C

Best Pick: Rolando McClain
Worst Pick: Jeremy Ware
Sleeper Pick: Bruce Campbell

FINAL ANALYSIS
The Raiders shocked the hell out of me. This was a solid draft through and through, and the foresight to wait on Campbell until the fourth almost makes me think Al Davis is a wizard, or a bingo shark. That was nice to see when most of us had it written on two tablets that he’d be the guy at eight overall. McClain wouldn’t be a bad pick if Oakland stays with their 4-3, but he’s a great one if they really do move to the 3-4. He’s a quarterback on defense, and he’s the type of leader who will keep everyone on the same page. Veldheer was a great pickup in the third, considering his massive upside and the way he used his 6-09 frame to ragdoll the lesser competition he faced.

McFadden and Goethel seem like guys with just enough athleticism to make up for some of their technical shortcomings, at least in the future. They’ll improve the kick coverage units immediately. Ford and Houston are high upside guys with great measurables who could find steady roles on each side of the ball. These are better upside picks than the ones we’ve seen from Davis in the past. Ware and Brown feel like overkill to me, especially with the crowd at safety, but Brown has more to offer right now.

I really don’t know what to say. I’ve got nothing prepared. Honestly didn’t expect the Raiders to win. I’ll accept this award on their behalf and remind you that while Jason Campbell isn’t a golden god, he doesn’t have to be to upgrade Jamarcus Russell’s QB spot. This team might be close.

FINAL GRADE: B

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