Don't be suprised if Al Davis

[deltron23]

Al Davis has never taken a lineback early in the draft, especially in the first round. Even though A.J. Hawk is an exceptional player, this year's draft has many other linebackers which would be a good pick up in the second to third round.

Example:
Seattle in last years draft took Tatupu and Leroy Hill in the later rounds - both are starting and Tatupu was an all-pro alternate.

Now for the Raiders, it will be logical to take Hawk first, but you never know with Davis. An alternative would be to trade up and take Vince Young. Kerry Collins is not and never will be part of the solution in Oakland. Collins like Mark Wilson and Jeff George from Raider's past is extremely inconsistant; he will have a good game then bad. Young's mechanics aren't the greatest, but Rich Gannon didn't have good mechanics either.

When you have a chance to to take a franchise player, you must not pass up on the opportunity. In the Raiders case, they might be able to take Vince Young, who might slip like Daunte Cullpepper did a few years ago.

[porky88]

Unlikely that Young falls by pick #4 to the Jets or yes even pick #5 to the Packers. I understand Rodgers is there but their GM stated he'd strongly consider drafting leinart or Young if they were on the board when they pick. Once again though that's doubtful.

The reasoning behind the Hawk pick is simple. Hawk not only fills a need but he's the BEST PLAYER ON THE BOARD.

Note: Culpepper wasn't rated near as high as Vince Young is coming out so that arguement doesn't fit.

[deltron23]

Hawk will be the best player on the board, but Davis doesn't value linebackers as he does for speed, corners and wide receivers. Like I said, it would be more wise to take a linebacker later or via free agency. Two linebackers taken in the last 26 years, both in the later half of the first round.

2005 Fabian Washington CB Nebraska
2004 Robert Gallery OT Iowa
2003 Nnamdi Asomugha CB California
Tyler Brayton DE Colorado
2002 Phillip Buchanon CB Miami (Fla.)
Napoleon Harris LB Northwestern
2001 Derrick Gibson DB Florida State
2000 Sebastian Janikowski K Florida State
1999 Matt Stinchcomb OT Georgia
1998 Charles Woodson CB Michigan
Mo Collins T Florida
1997 Darrell Russell DT Southern Cal
1996 Rickey Dudley TE Ohio State
1995 Napoleon Kaufman RB Washington
1994 Rob Fredrickson LB Michigan State
1993 Patrick Bates DB Texas A&M
1992 Chester McGlockton DE Clemson
1991 Todd Marinovich QB Southern California
1990 Anthony Smith DE Arizona
1989 No Pick -- --
1988 Tim Brown WR Notre Dame
Terry McDaniel DB Tennessee
Scott Davis DE Illinois
1987 John Clay T Missouri
1986 Bob Buczkowski DE Pittsburgh
1985 Jessie Hester WR Florida State
1984 No Pick -- --
1983 Don Mosebar T Southern California
1982 Marcus Allen RB Southern California
1981 Ted Watts DB Texas Tech
Curt Marsh T Washington
1980 Marc Wilson QB Brigham Young

[porky88]

Originally Posted by deltron23 Hawk will be the best player on the board, but Davis doesn't value linebackers as he does for speed, corners and wide receivers. Like I said, it would be more wise to take a linebacker later or via free agency. Two linebackers taken in the last 26 years, both in the later half of the first round.

No WR's are worth top 10 let alone 15 pick in this years draft and only 3 DB's are worth considering in the top 20 with Huff being the only top 10 DB in this draft. There's just not as many solid WR's and DB's as we've had in years past. Mike Huff or Jay Cutler are the wild cards with that pick. The Raiders haven’t had a need like this at LB in along time and if Hawk is on the board at pick #6 he's probably going to be the best player on the board unless D'Brickashaw Ferguson slips. With a Need and the Best on the board he'll probably pull the trigger.

I hate comparing past drafts. Aaron Rodgers was the first QB taken in the first round of the draft last year by the Pack since 1982.. Is that significant. Not really...

[deltron23]

I hate comparing past drafts too. I'm not saying Davis is going to take a wide receiver or corner. I'm just painting a picture of Davis's rational, what he likes. Hawk most definetly is an amazing linebacker. However, Davis just won't take a linebacker high in the draft. It isn't a coincidence that Davis traded Harris, Fredrickson and released Greg Biekert in the past.

[porky88]

Actually according to your list the Raiders have taken LB's in the first round a few times as well. In fact as many times as they've taken a QB. So that arguement is really dead. AJ Hawks is a way better prospect than Harris. As a fan I often get worried about the next so and so on a team and in your case I'm guessing you don't want the Raiders to invest in a LB that high and trade him off somewhere. In my opinion at worse Hawk will be a solid player. I think he's got all the makings of being one of the best players at his positons for years to come. He's no where near the bust factor that Harris was.

[Murf]

The Raiders should take Hawk who maybe the best overall player in this draft. Heres a Question for you though who do you think will have a better career Derrick Johnson of the Cheifs or Hawk where ever he goes?

[porky88]

Originally Posted by Murf The Raiders should take Hawk who maybe the best overall player in this draft. Heres a Question for you though who do you think will have a better career Derrick Johnson of the Cheifs or Hawk where ever he goes?

Dam that's a hard one for me. I like the Longhorns so there might be a biased but I still think Johnson was the best LB in last years draft and will emerge as one of the best in the league. With that said it's tough to ignore Hawks mentalitiy and his size and speed. Most scouts gave Hawk a higher grade coming out of college than Johnson though. We really need to see Hawk in the pros to give an answer.

[bucsrule55]

Even if a WR was top ten material, why would Oakland take one? With Moss, Porter, and Gabriel, they have greater needs.