Archive for the ‘Oakland Raiders’ Category

The Raiders were ever-so briefly thought to be a quarterback needy team during this draft season. No, a quarterback desperate-team. But then came Matt Flynn, and a crisis has been at least temporarily averted.

Is Flynn the future? Maybe, probably, or maybe not. As it pertains to this draft as a whole, though, the move to acquire Flynn was much more meaningful than a single quarterback joining a single team. Like the Cardinals — Oakland’s trading partner in the Carson Palmer deal — the Raiders knew there was a very good chance they’d be in a position to select this draft’s best quarterback. Although there’s still a faint chance that could happen, they showed their lack of desire to pursue Smith by finding another solution.

That’s been the theme throughout the top 10. Along with the moves made by Oakland and Arizona at quarterback, the Chiefs traded for Alex Smith. There’s been a dominant effort to avoid Geno Smith, or any first-round quarterback, which is the ultimate commentary on this year’s draft class at the position.

Instead for the Raiders, the early focus will turn to the large men on the interior of the defensive line. After a defensive gutting this offseason which included exits for Tommy Kelly and Richard Seymour, along with Matt Shaughnessy, Philip Wheeler, and Michael Huff, the priority for a defense that finished 31st in sacks this past season with 25 should be pressure up front.

But which brute bruiser provides the best value at third overall? I asked Levi Damien from Silver and Black Pride that question. And then I asked four more questions.

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