There are many names to ponder in the upcoming draft.
In fact, just last year if you'd have told me that Rey Maualuga would be available when the Raiders choose, I'd have been elated. In fact, right now, he may be the best choice.
That is if you overlook his teammates, Cushing and Mathews. Or if you somehow forget how to spell Laurinaitus so you leave him off the list.
Then there is the other Pac 10 sleeper that, newcomer, Darth Davis mentioned, Zach Follett.
It seems that this draft, while it currently looks like an O-Line fest, could turn into one of the best linebackers drafts ever
Any one of those 5 players could fill the void that seems to have been around since Matt Millen left. This team needs a solid, run stuffing, punch you in the mouth field general that shows up to work with his lunchbox and hardhat and doesn't rely on speed to pay his bills.
If you team that person up with Morrison and Howard and let them do what they do best, use thier speed to take away portions of the field in the passing game and zone blitzing, then the Raider run defense and defense in general will be leaps and bounds ahead of last year.
The question is...WILL THE PLAYER BE THE BEST VALUE AND FILL THE BIGGEST NEED ON DRAFT DAY FROM THE #7 HOLE?
Secondly, which of those players will fall as low as the 2nd or maybe even third round? At this point it looks like Follett and Mathews are the only potential 2nd or 3rd rounders.
People can say what they want about the Raiders draft history, BUT, this team has gotten much better and has been able to keep costs down through the draft. It is last year's spending spree on Free Agents that has me worried. I'd rather draft a stud MLB with the 7th pick than pay someone 8 million a year to come here. But, that's just me.
Who are some more names that we should be considering OR do you think that Suggs or another dynamic LB could be lured to play here?