2011 Mock Draft:

[SuperRaider]

Oakland Raiders' 2011 Mock Draft: Building a Bully in the AFC West | Bleacher Report

[Welsh Raider]

Seen this earlier today. I like to read the Bleacher Report most days as there is some pretty good stuff on there. There's is also a lot of rubbish aswell.

I agree that we should solidfy the lines. I like picking the best O-lineman available with our second rounder. People can bang on about Pouncey all they want, but he'll be well gone by the second round, especially with the success of his twin brother.

And a D-lineman is also a good decision with the 3rd round pick.

I also really like the Casey Matthews pick.  Not only for the success of his brother, but because he played for a winning team, so has that winning mentality and also made some big plays. Was very impressed with him in the BCS game. Also with Ricky Brown likely gone, and a spot at the weak side, I think he could give us excellent depth.

A QB in the 5th is also a decent idea, Im not keen on taking one in the 2nd or 3rd, because we have JC for atleast this year, and we have loads of needs and not many picks to fill them. QB's like Devlin will more than likely be gone, but if Ponder makes it into the 4th he could be worth a shot. But my Pick would be Ricki Stanzi.

Continuing on the Oregon theme, a player I really like that could be drafted in the 6th, 7th or even go undrafted is Jeff Mahl the wideout from Oregon. He doesnt run very fast, but catches everything thrown his way, and makes some massive plays. Would much rather a playmaker like him on the roster, than someone like Nick Miller.

Obviously selecting/predicting a certain player at this time of year is impossible, but identifying the teams needs and how important they are, and how highly that position should be drafted is a good exercise.

[SuperRaider]

I agree that the Raiders really need to address the offensive line; it is getting old. Veldeer, Campbell and Satele are young;...but Gallery, Coop and Walker are getting old, and Coop is really getting old.

Have no idea on how Bruce Campbell will do as the coaching staff really did not play him a lot; I think it was more to do with that the Raiders were in the playoff chase and they really could not play him just to check him out.

[SuperRaider]

Where the College Football and the Draft board ! I cannot find it only by clicking on the link

[Welsh Raider]

I agree that the Raiders really need to address the offensive line; it is getting old. Veldeer, Campbell and Satele are young;...but Gallery, Coop and Walker are getting old, and Coop is really getting old.

Have no idea on how Bruce Campbell will do as the coaching staff really did not play him a lot; I think it was more to do with that the Raiders were in the playoff chase and they really could not play him just to check him out.

Well at the moment its only Veldheer, Bruce Campbell and Cooper Carlisle coming back. The rest are Free Agents. With Carlisle likely to be cut thats leaves us with only 2 O-linemen, and they are both sophmores. Doesnt look good.

I am intrigued with O Dowd from USC.  A shed load of injury worries, but that will make a 1st round talent fall into the 4th or 5th round.

[SuperRaider]

I know Barnes has been with the team for a few years; think he make a decent RT. I know he was healthy in the 2010 season but just could not break in to the lineup.

[R8RMR]

Barnes is fine as a back-up but he gives away far too many penalties for my liking. If we could pick up another couple of Veldheers in the later rounds that would help alleviate some of the problems. But I suspect that it will be a foray in to FA market to try and fill the gaps, so to speak.

[Welsh Raider]

I think interior Linemen are easily available in the draft in the later rounds.

Jon Asamoah(Chiefs) and John Jerry(Dolphins) were picked up in the 3rd round in 2010, and played solidly all year., plus I expect something out of Bruce Campbell this year.

[R8RMR]

Bruce Campbell is very much a work in progress I understand, but he may be the starter at RG this coming season if he plays up to his potential.

[Welsh Raider]

Yeah I think Cooper Carlisle will be gone. Unless he comes back on a lesser contract.

Bruce with his athletism could be an excellent pulling guard. Apparently he's struggled  while out in space, so could struggle playing tackle. He's going to get every chance to start though.

[Welsh Raider]

Sad I know but Im getting well excited about the Draft.

Here are a list of players that I think we should be looking at to fill our needs and where we should take them.


2nd round

Benjamin Ijalana, G/OT, Villanova - more suited to playing guard, could be Gallerys replacement if he leaves.

Demarcus Love,  G/OT, Arkansas - Could be the answer to our Right Tackle problems.

Stefen Wisniewski, C/G, Penn State - Better at centre. Is he more of Zone Blocker. Is he big enough for the power blocking scheme?

Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina - Was a top 10 talent until his suspension last year. Physical freak though.

3rd round

Sione Fua, NT, Stanford - Doubt he';; drop to the 3rd, but could play Nose  Tackle in a 3-4, for when we give that look.

Deunta Williams, FS, North Carolina Injuries are causing him to fall down alot of draft boards but I think he's a first round talent. Could be a Michael bush esque steal. Especially if he falls to the fourth and we get him there.

DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma - Runningback maybe not a need here, but if we lose Bush, as run first team we need as many bodies as possible.

4th round

Casey Matthews, ILB, Oregon - Not as talented or physically gifted as his brother, but made a lot of big plays on the big occasions. can play Middle or Weakside linebacker. Surely worth a look.

Kendric Burney, CB, North Carolina - Senior Bowl, and Combine will probably push him into the 2nd round. Not the biggest but is a ball hawk.

Mark Herzlich, ILB, Boston College won his battle against cancer, but the big C has caused his stock to fall. Good aize at 6ft 4, but not great in pass coverage.


5th round

Derrick Locke, RB, Kentucky - Only small at 5ft 8, and some injury concerns,  but he's a speed freak and he could definatly spell Mcfadden.

Steve Schilling, G, Michigan - Could slip into the 6th round, can also play centre, and would be a decent back up if we keep Satele. I love big strong Michigan Linemen.

Ricki Stanzi QB Iowa

Andy Dalton, QB, TCU

6th round

Derek Hall, OT, Stanford - Helped keep Andrew Luck on his feet all year. Will give good O-line depth.


Brandon Fusco, C, Slippery Rock - From a division 2 school, but intriguing prospect.

Kristofer O'Dowd, C, USC - Some people have him as a 3rd rounder, but he suffers from injuries and I dont think he's that talented. Local kid though and played against decent opposition.

DeMarcus Van Dyke, CB, Miami - At 6ft 1 he has good size for a corner. With Brandon Harris was formed 1 of the best corner back tandem in the college football.


7th round

Greg McElroy, QB, Alabama - Going to be a solid career back up, could come in be the 3rd QB, and in a couple of years be the number 2. Game manager and from a winning school in Alabama.

Jeff Maehl, WR, Oregon - Doesnt have the size or speed that we go for, but made some massive plays for the Ducks. Catches everything thrown his way. Excellent hands.

Mario Fannin, RB, Auburn - Think Michael Bush, excellent 3rd down back for the BCS champs.

Kenny Rowe - OLB - Oregon - Lots of sacks last year, tall, but not alot of bulk, could play special teams, and one day make a good Weak side linebacker.

[R8RMR]

I like the look of Benjamin Ijalana. He could be a great asset but will he last long enough for the Raiders to select him. If not Wisniewski could also be decent pick. If they are going with the 3-4, Fua may be just what they need, but to get him they may need to pick him in the 2nd round. As for the rest, pretty much a lottery as to who will be available in the later rounds.

The combine will sort out the prospects and then we will see who is the fastest in each position. Then we will have a better idea of who Al might favour.

[Bakuron]

2nd round
Benjamin Ijalana, G/OT, Villanova - more suited to playing guard, could be Gallerys replacement if he leaves.
Demarcus Love,  G/OT, Arkansas - Could be the answer to our Right Tackle problems.
Stefen Wisniewski, C/G, Penn State - Better at centre. Is he more of Zone Blocker. Is he big enough for the power blocking scheme?
Marvin Austin, DT, North Carolina - Was a top 10 talent until his suspension last year. Physical freak though.

I agree with O-Line here, the only worthwhile exceptions being (yet another) DB (if some leave) and receiver who have somehow managed to escape the first round. Otherwise I'd rather we traded down. Wizz-II is pretty much the same size as Satele. Whether he's a better talent or not you'd have to tell me.

3rd Round
Sione Fua, NT, Stanford - Doubt he';; drop to the 3rd, but could play Nose  Tackle in a 3-4, for when we give that look.
Deunta Williams, FS, North Carolina Injuries are causing him to fall down alot of draft boards but I think he's a first round talent. Could be a Michael bush esque steal. Especially if he falls to the fourth and we get him there.
DeMarco Murray, RB, Oklahoma - Runningback maybe not a need here, but if we lose Bush, as run first team we need as many bodies as possible.

Can't see any use in an NT, but your reasoning on potentially replacing Bush is sound and similar with FS for if we lose Huff. Although again, another O-Lineman would have to be considered here too.

Think athletic freaks and/or former first round prospects from here on in.

Repeating myself but priorities remain O-Line, Receiver, potential replacements for Huff, Howard, Brown, Moss on D, and Michael Bush on O. Consideration for long-term prospects at CB and QB.

[Welsh Raider]

I think for any team to win, its important to be strong in the trenches.

We're very strong on the D-line so the O-line is where we need to improve.

That first pick(2nd round) should definatly go on an o-lineman. And I would also like the 3rd round pick to go on one aswell, especially considering the impact and play of Jared Veldheer. There are lots of prospects for us to consider.

The combine will reveal a lot more about the players.

Im hoping more than anything that Bruce Campbell can win a starting spot at either RG or RT. Add to that maybe 2 o-lineman from the draft, plus Veldheer we could have 4 players that could anchor our O-line for the next 10 years.

[Bakuron]

Im hoping more than anything that Bruce Campbell can win a starting spot at either RG or RT. Add to that maybe 2 o-lineman from the draft, plus Veldheer we could have 4 players that could anchor our O-line for the next 10 years.

Well that's sort of like the ultimate goal. But it's still a percentages game and I think if we consider Veldheer an unqualified success we're looking to make sure perhaps 2 out of another 4/5 prospects (Campbell + Henderson +  2/3 draftees and/or a UDFA) can also be made into good quality starters. Our hit rate at the position in recent years has been fairly poor.

Veldheer-Seemingly a major success
Campbell-To be seen
Henderson-Flat out bust as an LT, perhaps worth a shot at another position
McQuistan-Bust
Boothe-Is he a starting LG with the Giants now?
Morris-Bust
McMahon-Who?
Grove-Success, after a fashion
Gallery-Horrible reach considering he only ever became a good LG