I know many of you are enraged about the draft, even I was. But when you take time to really look at the picks and think about they can be used, this was actually a very successful draft and it tells you what kind of team Oakland will be this year. So let's calm down and make some logic on these picks.

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1st. round: Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR

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Heyward-Bey at #7 may have been a reach, yes, but this was in reality the best pick for us. Heyward-Bey is ungodly fast, we all know that. He's faster than nearly every corner in the league and has the moves to get separation and to get yards after the catch. In Ted Tollner's system, this is a must. Tollner is a downfield passing guy, which has historically been the raiders philosophy. But over the last few years, we've never had that one guy who's always blazing a trail downfield. Heyward-bey gives us that. True he is inconsistent catching the ball, but if he catches one of those 60-yard bombs we have a touchdown. That instant score threat then in turn causes the opposing defense to focus on him more. This then opens things up with some HB Draw plays and passes underneath to the RB and TE. And if the D blitzes then they can get beat big time.

Now i know everyone is saying, "but Crabtree was there!" yes he was, but he would not have been the right pick for our system. Crabtree is more of a possession guy, and while that would be very nice to have, he doesn't fit our system and isn't that threat that the D has to respect downfield. There's also no telling whether or not Crabtree's injury may have lasting effects or not.

Back to Bey; Bey shares the two common qualities of all of our draft picks. Potential, and great work-ethic. He has the work-ethic to be there working with the coaches to reach that great potential to improve on his catching consistency.

This was a system pick and a good one at that.

Pick Grade: B+

2nd. Round: Mike Mitchell, S

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Okay when he's the face of the Ohio University football program, you know you've got a special player. Mitchell is one of the hardest hitting safeties in this year's draft. if you don't believe me, check this highlight video of him. He's very fast with a 4.43 forty and uses that speed to go from side line to sideline to make a play. I watched a couple Ohio football games and no matter where the play was, Mitchell was near it or making the stop.

I compare Mitchell to Sean Taylor. He's fast, good in coverage, (still a little shaky but better than what Wilson was) and lays a gruesome hit. I have noticed though that he tries to lay a big hit rather than a sure tackle, which does lead to some missed or sloppy tackles. However, for the most part, he's a great tackler. Definitely better than any of our other options at SS. That's not to say Mitchell will be playing strong though. Seems Cable like Branch for the spot and Mitchell is more than talented enough to start at FS. That interchangeability (big word) makes him that much better of a pick. Mitchell also shares a quality of Brian Dawkins. Leadership. And you can never have enough leadership on your defense. Also worth noting that he can play either zone or man defense very well.

Great pick to round off the secondary.

Pick grade: A

3rd. round: Matt Shaughnessy, DE

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Not exactly a fast guy with a 4.85 forty, but it's good for his size at 6-5, 266. He's a solid tackler with 60 tackles, 18 for loss, and 5 sacks in a stellar junior season. During spring football last year he broke his fibula and needed suregery, and therefore didn't impress his senior year. Durability is a definite concern. He's fast, strong, and has good motor. He is, however, often blocked by a single lineman and isn't a real threat on the edge if he's held up off the snap. But he's a hard-worker and should get plenty of help from Board to work on his pass rush.

Plus he has a hilarious interview you know?

Pick grade: C

Round 4: Louis Murphy, WR

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I know what you're thinking, another speedy receiver. I've heard others call him another higgins, which seems to be a bad thing. But is it really? Thin about it, Higgins should not only start at WR this year, but he's also starting at punt returner. With his thin frame, that could mean injuries. Enter murphy. Murphy is nearly identical to higgins and would be invaluable should Johnnie Lee "Blue-Suede Shoes" Higgins get injured. I know he came fro ma spread, but Florida was more of a pro-style, spread mix. Murphy had to run all your basic pro-style routes from a spread. Of all the spread receivers in the draft, he's one of the best and most polished route runners. Inconsistent in the passing game yes, but he's also one of those hard-workers. Worth noting he was a team captain. Also with that speed, he give us some of the same things Heyward-Bey does.

Pick grade: B

Round 4: Slade Norris, OLB/DE

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At 6-2, 236, Norris isn't all that big for a LB (he would be the smallest one if he should start) and won't see much time unless he bulks up. However, as a blitzer in Marshall's system, he's invaluable. So much speed and that small size allows him to easily maneuver around O-Linemen and squeeze through holes in the O-Line to make plays behind the line or sack the QB. As a DE in college, he put up 58 tackles, 18.5 for loss, and 10 sacks. Can also play DE if that's what Oakland wants. The Raiders can really do whatever they want with him. Use him as a situational LB blitzer, quick DE off the edge, or bulk him up for more than just blitzing. They could also work on his pass coverage to make him a 3rd. down specialist. If Oakland develops him right, Norris could be the anti-passing SLB as a coverage man and blitzer.

Plus how sweet is the name Slade Norris?

Pick grade: C+

Round 6: Stryker Sulak, DE

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The one thing that sticks out about Stryker (other than that amazing name) is his amazing forced fumble count. NCAA-leading 6 forced fumbles last year. When he makes the hit he tries to knock it out. If he can get us a couple of those, that could make a huge difference in a game. Stryker also excels at penetration. 55 tackles, 15.5 for loss, and 10.5 sacks. It seems like Marshall's defense will be one that prides itself on getting into the backfield consistently. Not just plugging the holes, but going through them for some TFL's. Stryker is fast (4.69 forty) and is a real edge threat in the passing game. Shares the weakness of Shaughnessy of being held up by a single blocker. Can also play some LB.

Pick Grade: B

Round 6: Brandon Myers, TE

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Athletic, physical TE. 6-4, 250 frame makes him a great blocker, which will be key in our two-TE packages. His blocking ability also allows Miller to make more plays in the passing game, instead of being an extra blocker. Myers himself can also do some damage on pass plays. He uses his big frame and wingspan to grab the errant passes. Not very fast or elusive, but he's not expected to be. More of a run blocker, he still does well pass blocking.

Pick Grade: B+

Overall draft grade: B