DHB at no 7

Would Raiders take Heyward-Bey at No. 7?
By Jerry McDonald - NFL Writer
Saturday, April 4th, 2009 at 9:26 am in Oakland Raiders.

The NFL Network’s Mike Mayock, generally one of the more respected draft analysts around and a guy who was linked to the Raiders a couple years back as a potential personnel hire, had a surprise pick for Oakland with the No. 7 overall pick.

Virtually everyone who has Oakland picking a wide receiver has the Raiders selecting either Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree or Missouri’s Jeremy Maclin.

Mayock paired the Raiders with Maryland’s Darius Heyward-Bey.

“He’s a height-weight-speed specialist. The fastest guy at the combine,” Mayock said. “This is an Al Davis special. You pair him with JaMarcus Russell and Darren McFadden.”

Mayock didn’t have Crabtree taken in the first ten picks. He said Davis focuses on height, weight and speed and that “Crabtree is not fast enough for him.”

Heyward-Bey’s career stats weren’t necessarily what you’d expect from the fastest receiver in the draft _ 138 catches 2,089 yards, 13 touchdowns.

Which could have something to do with inconsistent quarterback play, frequent double teams and a lot of Cover 2 defenses which wouldn’t let him get deep. Or it could be he’s a track guy who isn’t necessarily a fluid receiver.

Regardless, if Davis were to be enamored with Heyward-Bey, the Raiders could consider moving back in the draft and getting additional picks. Most mock drafts don’t have Heyward-Bey going in the second half of the first round.

OTA schedule

According to an NFL release, the Raiders have scheduled the following dates for the 14 organized team activity sessions they are allowed as part of their offseason workout program: May 19-21; June 2-4; June 9-11; June 16-18.