Mock Draft: Oakland Raiders

The Oakland Raiders haven't had much luck in the first round of the draft the past five years.

[TexasRaider]

This writer is an idiot. Robert Gallery was drafted #2 overall in 2004, not 2003 and has panned out well at left guard. As a matter of fact, he has the best chance to make the pro bowl of all of our 1st rounders in the last 5 years. He also questioned whether our last first rounders were just overrated or if it was development in the Raider organization. During the Norv Turner era, it was a lack of development and Gallery is the living proof of that. I say that because during his first 3 years he looked like he was trying hard but was lost and once Lane Kiffin and Tom Cable came aboard, he became the monster on the OL the Raiders were hoping for, only it was at left guard instead of tackle. I do believe that if Gallery could've started his pro career with Cable as a coach (whether it be head coach or OL coach) I think he would've developed into the quality left tackle they were hoping for. Now he's a solid LG leading the way up the middle for Michael Bush's interior power runs.

I will credit him this, he did acknowledge that Russell and McFadden showed positive signs of life. These two were drafted at the begining of the Kiffin/Cable era (I call it that because Cable was on Kiffin's staff before getting the head job after Kiffin's termination and when Kiffin came in was when the player development really seemed to improve).

Now defensively the Rob Ryan era is finally over and it may be a make or break year for Michael Huff. Fabian Washington has already been dealt away but I think it was the more because of the wasted 2nd rounder for Deangelo Hall trade.

[Raider Nation]

He is a moron. Cant blame the players when you change coaches very season. Cable will turn it around and these guys will improve. I think JaMarcus may be on a short leash if Garcia cant help in his development though in '09.