2011 NFL Draft: If the Raiders Don't Trade Up They May Not Have a Tackle

by Rich Langford on Apr 28, 2011 5:01 AM PDT

The 2011 NFL Draft is so close I can taste it. Sure, the Raiders don't have a pick today, but maybe they should try and change that. I'm not sure they'll have a player to line up at tackle otherwise.

Steve Corkoran was answering questions on Bayarea.com the other day, and someone asked him if he thought Mario Henderson or Langston Walker would be re-signed. Here is what he had to say:

"I have heard from other players that Mario turned down a one-year offer and that Walker is contemplating retirement. Therefore, the Raiders might be in the market for a right offensive tackle because Khalif Barnes isn't coming back either."

I am not surprised either way on the bit of news about Mario. There are very few free agent left tackles on the market with starting experience, and he is likely to get a decent deal. For the Raiders part, trying to get Mario back on a one-year deal isn't a bad idea. They could do a lot worse than that for back-up, and on a one-year deal they wouldn't be investing much.

As for ol' man Walker, I had no idea. He's only 31, and he hasn't had a history of injuries. Maybe he is just telling people this to try and get more money on his next contract. But if he retires it is going to make the need to draft a tackle even more pressing.

I wasn't thrilled about the idea of having Walker start the 2011 season as right tackle, but at least he was a fairly viable option that brought some plus play to the run game. Ideally, I was hoping the Raiders would bring someone in to take his place at tackle and have Walker to start at guard and/or for depth, but Walker dangled out their like a tattered security blanket.

We can get more into free agency after the draft, but take a quick look at the list on WalterFootball.com of free agent tackles, and it paints a pretty grim picture. Given the increasing reality that the NFL is going to play under the same rules it did in 2010, there are only about four or five tackles that aren't tendered that would be an upgrade over Walker at tackle. And it is not like Walker set a high upgrade bar.

While I like quite a few linemen the Raiders will likely have a chance to draft in the second-round I don't like any of their chances as an opening day starter at RT. Expecting to land a RT in free agency is going to be an expensive roll of the dice. I really don't expect the Raiders to trade up to the first-round to take a tackle, but it may be the only way to land a capable starter.

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Should be available when we pick and could very well be a day 1 starter. The problem then becomes can we really play with a rookie RG and a rookie RT day 1? Its clear we should add some veteran players on the line but I don’t think we can run the risk of it. We need to secure our most important positions with our first 4 picks. RT, OG, CB, FS.

I personally have FS and RT as our biggest needs and can see it shaping out the best with Rahim Moore and James Brewer or James Carpenter and Marcus Gilchrist. Either way I hope this our thinking. BTW, has anyone else noticed that Cannon, Wisnewski, and Ijalana have all dropped dramatically on some boards? Maybe we can land Wisnewski in the 4th.

"When you believe in yourself......you will conquer many of your fears before they even manifest."

-Zen Master, Nnamdi "The Awesome One" Asomugha

by DarthDavis on Apr 28, 2011 6:43 AM PDT reply actions

How can CB and FS be a bigger need than LB

You can’t play man to man coverage if your LB’s can’t stop the run. last year our Dline and secondary was good we had a weak LB core. Wimbley was at his best rushing the passer. We need to get a starting RG RT and OLB that can play.

by Micheal Y on Apr 28, 2011 7:27 AM PDT up reply actions

The Club

seems to be really high on Goethel starting at weakside. He AND Shilens should be doing a Health chant right now for good measure

by DarknBlack on Apr 28, 2011 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions

we gotta pay close attention on how the Ravens draft.

If they take a OT in the first jared Gaither price will go down a bit. Maybe a next year 3rd and 4th would do it. Get him to play LT and move Veldheer to RT where he would become a top ten RT in a year or 2. Or maybe Hue is expecting Bruce Campbell to play RT. Satele needs to stay and we need to get our LBs taking care of with our 2nd pick.

by raiderfan21 on Apr 28, 2011 7:16 AM PDT reply actions

I do think that Al wants Bruce Campbell to start at

RT and maybe a guard position if he can’t handle tackle, but he is the apple of Al’s eye and Al was pissed he didn’t play last year. As far as moving Veldheer, not likely, he did a great job last year for a third round rookie out of a div.2 school and will only get better. Gaither might be a good choice for the RT spot if Campbell can’t handle it, but might be too expensive for a RT possibility.

"Now I know what your thinking, did he fire six shots or only five. Ive forgotten myself in all this excitement, but being that this is the 44 magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world and could blow your head clean off, you have to ask your question. Do I feel lucky? Well do ya punk!"
Dirty Harry Callahan

by rambis64 on Apr 28, 2011 7:25 AM PDT up reply actions

I know it may not matter....

Does anyone find it peculiar that the raiders are having a draft party today, but we have no first round pick? Something tells me Al is going to trade in to the first round. Am I just being delusion?

by 3XSBCHAMPS.OAK. on Apr 28, 2011 7:44 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

definatley not delusional

Our captain and chief is AL D, anything is possible. The question is can we afford to lose the picks that it would take to get there…

by DarknBlack on Apr 28, 2011 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Local media agrees with Raiders trying to get back into 1st round

Whether its to take a better OL prospect is anyone’s guess. By changing to a hybrid blocking scheme Coach Jackson and Coach Wylie may move Bruce Campbell out to RT. At that point our biggest need would be at OG, which certainly isn’t worthy of a 1st round pick unless we’re talking about Mike Pouncey. If it is a RT the only one who mocks in the later part of the 1st round is Carimi, who is definitely a RT.

The only other scenario I can see, though its so unlikely I can hardly believe I’m proposing it, is that Mr. Davis is somehow OK with Jimmy Smith’s past and feels he’s the only guy who can replace Aso in the secondary. Honestly I can’t imagine trading away future draft picks to move up to take a guy who’s failed drug tests for codeine only a year removed from releasing the biggest draft bust ever because of similar problems.

"When we play tough, and we play physical, and when we play the way we're supposed to play, can't nobody beat us." - Richard "SeaMonster" Seymour

by LiveAdam on Apr 28, 2011 7:56 AM PDT reply actions

Did you hear the rumor that the Raiders are

going to trade with Denver or Buffalo to draft Patrick Peterson, the rumor says we’ll be giving up our #1 next year plus either our 2nd or 3rd round pick this year.

by rambis64 on Apr 28, 2011 8:10 AM PDT up reply actions

It would take more than that to get it done

There’s no way Denver of Buffalo accepts #48 and next year’s 1st round to move out of the 2nd or 3rd overall pick this year. It would probably take this year’s 2nd and 3rd plus next year’s 1st and 2nd.

Wow, if we were watching @ 8PM tonight and Roger Goodell says “The Raiders are on the clock” with the 2nd or 3rd overall pick we’re all going to go absolutely nuts.

"When we play tough, and we play physical, and when we play the way we're supposed to play, can't nobody beat us." - Richard "SeaMonster" Seymour

by LiveAdam on Apr 28, 2011 8:19 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, it's probably too much to even hope for.

If it did happen, going nuts would be gross an understatement of my reaction.

by rambis64 on Apr 28, 2011 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions

with 5-6 QBs

jumping up, Carimi may still be there in the bottom 1st rd half. We should be ok parting with this year’s 48 and next year’s 2 nd pick for a 20 to 33 pick. Carimi would be a great pick; still need to re-sign Mario and Walker for depth and familiarity.

by raiders4liffe on Apr 28, 2011 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions

Trading up so often carries a price tag for the future

One that we are seeing now: there are still holes to fill, and less, and later, picks to do so.

Let’s say that we move up into the first round; my bet is that it won’t be to take a OT, but for yet another skill player, because that is generally Al’s style. Unfortunately, he misses more often than he hits: there are really only 5 first-rounders since 1990 that have turned out to be worth anywhere near their draft position.

Stick with what picks you have, make them work, and put the team in a position to take another step forward this year and next…

Failure builds character; success reveals it

by signcut on Apr 28, 2011 8:08 AM PDT reply actions

I predicted McClain last year.

I feel we are going to trade into the first round for some picks, but keep our first four picks.
1st round: Keipernick, QB
2nd round: Wisnieski, C
3rd round: Cannon, OG
4th round: Matthews, LB

by 3XSBCHAMPS.OAK. on Apr 28, 2011 9:11 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

trading up

and picking a QB in the 1st round who needs 1 to 2 yrs development work AND payng 1st round money doesn’t work for me. Cannon is a similar deal, 3rd rd pick to rehab and hopefully get his strength back is a non-starter; 6th rd fine as we know that he would be next year’s deal.

by raiders4liffe on Apr 28, 2011 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yep. ANd I'd rather get Enderle or McElroy in the later rounds than Kaepernick.

I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 28, 2011 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions

Though I like this a lot, I like this more:

1st Kaeipernick
2nd Wisniewski
3rd Sands
4th Matthews
5th Cannon

S-O-B: ITS HOW I ROLL, DEAL WITH IT.
"I did the (2010) draft. ... I made a trade for Seymour. Gave up the first-rounder this year. I could tell you why. You may not think it was a good trade. I thought it was a great trade. Still do. [Al Davis 1/1911]

by Sons-of-Blanda on Apr 28, 2011 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions

ESPN’s reporting Raider’s are interested in trading up for CB Jimmy Smith.

Bring me a shrubbery!

by JaKe. on Apr 28, 2011 9:30 AM PDT reply actions

That would be sweet.

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 28, 2011 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions

Ehhhhh. He has an extensive record.

Bring me a shrubbery!

by JaKe. on Apr 28, 2011 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Well that is not good...

but I think he’ll be fine…. although I have no seen the report. lol

here is what cbs draft had to say:

Maturing player taking over as a leader on the field, directing teammates. Began studying film before his junior season. Missed first two games in 2008 due to injury. Suffered concussion against Baylor in 2010.

by Jack'sAxe on Apr 28, 2011 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions