Raiders 2003 Draft Report Card @ Edweirdo's Oakland Raiders Report

With their first 5 picks, the Raiders addressed 4 of the 5 highest priority needs (DE, CB/S, RB, LB). I am really glad that the Raiders did not draft a QB or get the chance to considering spending their top picks on RB Willis McGahee (reconstructed knee 4 months ago) or C Jeff Faine. Every player drafted has the possibility to contribute THIS year.

There are 2 philosophies about making a draft pick: going with the best available player (value) vs picking to fill a need (fit). I've graded each pick is graded for "value" and for "fit". In general, I give an "A" for value if the player is a steal and a "B" the player is a solid value. DE Suggs was a steal at #10. Hey, it's all relative and subjective.

1a: CB Nnamdi Asomugha (value: C+, fit: B+)

I wanted this guy, just not so high. Most draft boards had him going in rounds 2-3, so to pick him at #31 in the 1st round was a significant reach. The Raiders felt that with the trend toward bigger CBs, he wouldn't have lasted until pick #63. He is the kind of CB Al Davis covets: big (6-2, 213) with excellent speed (4.5 40). The skinny on Asomugha is that he is effective in press coverage but that he struggles more in the open field (e.g. tackling consistently). He did fine at CB in the pass-happy Pac 10, and he is an intelligent player who will get a chance to learn from one of the best in Charles Woodson. If he pans out, the Raiders will have an incredible trio of CBs (Woodson, Buchanon, Asomugha).

1b: DE Tyler Brayton (value: B-, fit: B)

I was hoping for a rush end (RDE) for one of our 1st rounders. Instead, the Raiders picked a base end (LDE). He was projected to go in the mid 2nd round, and the Raiders passed up on some bigger names on the board (Nebraska's DE Kelsay, Ohio State's Peterson) to pick him. Brayton is a good athlete with a non-stop motor and can play inside as well as outside. That flexibility is something the Raiders like. He may be the starting LDE by September, given the health concerns of Tony Bryant and Trace Armstrong. That would enable the Raiders to move DeLawrence Grant over to RDE, which is a better fit for him.

2: WR Teyo Johnson (value: B, fit: A-)

The Raiders are going to ask Teyo to put a hand down, pack on 10 lbs, and improve his blocking to play TE. As a member of the Stanford basketball team, this guy is a great all-around athlete and was a deadly weapon in the red zone with his height and leaping ability (6-5, 247). I think this was a good pick: the Raiders are going to create incredible matchup problems in their 2 TE sets with Jolley and Johnson.

3a: OLB Sam Williams (value: C, fit: B)

I wanted this guy, just not so high. He reminds me of Niners OLB Julian Peterson in terms of physical tools and build. He's a bit raw, but the Raiders love his speed and will try to convert him to rush end. Romo, who was on ESPN's draft coverage, sounded very impressed with him based on a workout he had with the Raiders.

3b: RB Justin Fargas (value: A, fit: A)

I am ECSTATIC that we nabbed Fargas at the end of the 3rd round; he was projected to go a round earlier after his performances in the Senior Bowl and Combine. Before the draft, I thought Suggs and Fargas were the best fit RBs in terms of being an all-around threat running and receiving. Fargas is a tough runner with size (220 lbs), elusiveness, and game-breaking speed (4.35 40). All the draft experts loved this pick. If Fargas can stay healthy, he will be a force for the Silver & Black.

4: DE Shurron Pierson (value: B, fit: B)

Undersized (6-2, 242 lbs) for his position in the pros. Scary strong for his size (over 30 reps of 225) with excellent speed (reportedly ran a 4.4 40 at his campus workout). The Raiders are hoping that Williams or Pierson will be able to give us the edge pass rush we've been lacking. Callahan has stated he will not have them bulk up but instead will let them play at a more natural weight to retain quickness.

5: WR Doug Gabriel (value: A, fit: A-)

Big (6-1, 213), fast (4.5 40) receiver who has drawn comparisons to Raiders phenom Jerry Porter. Projected to go in the 3rd round or so, Gabriel was a steal in the 5th round. Like Porter, he'll need time to develop, but he'll be learning from a HOF WR coach in Biletnikoff and 2 of the greatest WRs to ever grace the gridiron. Down the road, Gabriel could team with Porter as an imposing pair of starting WRs.

6: OT Dustin Rykert (value: B, fit: B)

Projected to go late in the draft. Has the kind of size and nasty attitude the Raiders love on the O-line. He'll have a tough time though of making the roster with the Raiders' depth at the OT position (Kennedy, Sims, Walker, Slaughter). Not particularly mobile for his size. He'll face a steep uphill battle to make the roster on a deep O-line corps.

7a: SS Siddeeq Shabazz (value: B, fit: B)

Solid college player and big-time hitter with good range. He has an outside shot of making the roster as a ST player.

7b: WR Ryan Hoag (value: B, fit: B+)

As the last pick of the entire draft, he's been tagged as Mr. Irrelevant. However, The Sporting News rated him as the ultimate sleeper at the WR position. He was the only Div III player invited to the combine, and he has excellent size (6-2, 190) and speed (4.5 40). I think he has a 50/50 shot of making the roster, which you normally wouldn't say about a 7th rounder, because he is a good KR and well as a promising WR with "upside" (I couldn't avoid using that word, even just once).