The two candidates to go number one are Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson and LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Although the Raiders have a glaring hole at quarterback, Raiders owner Al Davis is reportedly in love with Johnson.
And what's not to love? Johnson is 6-5, 239 pounds, runs the 40-yard dash in 4.35 seconds, and possesses a 45-inch vertical leap. He is the consensus best player in the draft and has been tabbed a "can't-miss" prospect.
If the Raiders do not select Johnson, several teams have reportedly expressed interest in trading up to the number two spot to draft him. Those teams include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Redskins, and Atlanta Falcons.
In order to take Johnson, the Raiders would have to upgrade their quarterback position before the draft. However, Todd McShay of Scouts Inc. believes it is too late to do that.
"It seems the window of opportunity has passed for Oakland to acquire a veteran starting quarterback in order to justify taking Georgia Tech wide receiver Calvin Johnson. If the team does add a second-tier veteran between now and the draft, it will do so as insurance for Russell."
And it's not like Russell is a consolation prize. He's 6-6, 265 pounds and
has a canon for an arm, reportedly able to throw it 80 yards in the air. McShay believes Russell is the logical choice for the Raiders."Russell makes the most sense for a team loaded with talented wide receivers (Randy Moss, Jerry Porter and Ronald Curry) but nobody to get the ball to them."
ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. agrees with McShay that Oakland should draft Russell. He believes they forced their hand by passing on a quarterback in last year's draft.
"The Raiders have to pick Russell; they really can't go any other way. Passing on Matt Leinart and Jay Cutler last year, when they really needed a quarterback, has really affected them in this draft."
Who do you think the Raiders should take: Johnson or Russell?
4 comments:
Russell and Johnson...it's all about Brady Quinn. Gold and Blue Through and Through. GO IRISH
The Radiers need a quaterback and should with out question take Russell
They should take Russell, him and Randy Moss will click connect, both on and off the field
It is very informative about the two choices- The Oakland Raiders have in this upcoming draft. I think they should draft Russell because they have many wide receivers with no one to throw them the ball.
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