Raiders 2010 Draft Outlook: Offensive Line & Defensive Line
In this third installment of SBReport.net’s draft outlooks, the Oakland Raiders situation along the trenches will be analyzed. Both offensive and defensive lines have huge question marks and need serious upgrades during the draft.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Mario Henderson’s season at left tackle was mediocre at best. The 25-year old did not solidify himself completely at that spot and with the Raiders possibly targeting a tackle with their 8th overall selection on Thursday, it’s foreseeable that Henderson could be moved to right tackle. Unless Oakland believes he can only get better there and they pick a tackle in the draft to move to a more dire side of the line – right tackle.
Cornell Green moved on and as it stands, Erik Pears and Khalif Barnes are the main candidates to start on the right edge. Langston Walker, who reached an agreement with the Silver & Black earlier in the month, was utilized at guard and tackle in 2009 and could be a wild card in the mix. The Raiders want to run the football more consistently with Hue Jackson at the helm, so Darren McFadden and Michael Bush need a consistent run-blocking line.
And as I see it, a new offensive philosophy; the return of a more power run game is in order for the Raiders.
Robert Gallery is entrenched at left guard, but if the Raiders do line up and try to bulldoze opponents, what does that mean for Cooper Carlisle (RG), who is not adept at such a style?
Chris Morris struggled at center and Samson Satele, who fared better, is not looked at as a reliable alternative.
OUTLOOK:
The Raiders would love to see Russell Okung (Oklahoma State) fall onto their lap. But if he does slip, the tackle won’t get past Kansas City. Trent Williams (Oklahoma) would be their next target and a very solid choice to finally stabilize an offensive line that needs to be upgraded – Oakland has an eye for Williams. For months Bruce Campbell (Maryland) has been linked to the Raiders due to the workouts he presented during his assessments. But I don’t believe the Raiders will reach in the first round for a consecutive draft for a player that can be had later in the round or when they select again in the 2nd. Center is a position that really needs upgrade and there has been talk about selecting one.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Richard Seymour, Matt Shaughnessy, Desmond Bryant and Tommy Kelly are virtual locks to be in the line’s rotation in 2010. A lot of burden will place on Shaughnessy’s shoulders after a solid rookie campaign and the departure of pass rushing veteran Greg Ellis. And maybe too much, as Oakland should seriously look into adding a pass rusher during the draft.
The rush defense has been chronically bad for many years now. But the Raiders have generally neglected chances at adding support to the interior of their line, most notably, passing up the chance of taking Glenn Dorsey in 2008 in favor of Darren McFadden.
OUTLOOK:
Where will Oakland generate pass rush other than Seymour? Does the composition of this line give you any hope that they will finally be a respectable rush-defending group?
Oakland has to address the line in varying ways and add talent to a unit that will depend on Seymour to be dominant. Jason Pierre-Paul (South Florida) is an intriguing prospect, but Jared Odrick (Penn St.), Carlos Dunlap (Florida) or Terrence Cody (Alabama) could be viable options with their 2nd round selection.
