Mel Kiper Has More Love for the Oakland Raiders 2011 NFL Draft

by Rich Langford on May 5, 2011 8:00 AM PDT

Our boy Mel Kiper is back to lavish some more praise on the Oakland Raiders 2011 NFL Draft. In a recent piece on ESPN, Kiper picks out players from rounds 4-7 that he feels will make an immediate impact. Of course, his report is not without a certain amount of gloom as one of the reasons he feels Chekwa is a good candidate to make an impact is due to the imminent departure of Nnamdi Asomugha is leaving. Still, it is always good to see people say they like the chances of a fourth-rounder making an impact—even if that person is Mel Kiper.

The impact: Chekwa is a solid, physical corner and -- fittingly -- flashed a surprising amount of athleticism at the combine, something the Raiders surely took notice of before they picked him in Round 4. With Nnamdi Asomugha gone next year, Chekwa could fight for immediate playing time.

The hurdle: He'll have to beat out another rookie, Demarcus Van Dyke, who was taken in Round 3.

The Dyke hurdle is especially interesting given that Kiper is as high on Van Dyke as anyone. From everything I have seen it would seem that Chekwa is more pro ready. Also in the hurdle mix is last year's rookies, Walter McFadden and Jeremy Ware. And who knows, they may bring in another free agent to compete.

Poll

Who will be the Raiders Nickel corner for the first game in 2011?

Chris Johnson (Nnam's coming back)

346 votes

DVD

122 votes

Chekwa

205 votes

McFadden

113 votes

Ware

62 votes

a free agent

30 votes

878 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

i just saw on nfl.com that charlie casserly actually gave us some good reviews too

it just goes to show how different (or badly stocked) this draft was. everyone had widely different opinions on the same players even in the higher rounds.

by frank7da2tank on May 5, 2011 10:34 AM PDT reply actions

We are a hopeful bunch!

40 percent think Nnam’s coming back so far.

I'm a freaky streaker like Winnie the Pooh—T-shirt, no pants and I dance the boog-a-loo

by Rich Langford on May 5, 2011 11:53 AM PDT reply actions

Chekwa will be a very good corner. Van Dyke ... not so much.

And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter

by James Brady on May 5, 2011 12:15 PM PDT reply actions

To expand, here's what I said in my CB rankings (he was 11, Van Dyke was not in the top fifteen)

13. Chimdi Chekwa – Dowling Lite, here. Chekwa has great speed and a very solid jumpball, he’s the kind of guy who can be a playmaker, but will be seen celebrating a pass knocked out of bounds more so than an interception. Chekwa is still really raw, but has higher potential than anybody else in this range. He’s very good in zone coverage and is at his best when he has everything developing in front of him. He will surprise many quarterbacks with his deceptive closing ability, he sits back in the zone and reacts to what the signal caller does faster than most in the draft and can thus get in front of passes, but it does at times lead to him getting lost if he doesn’t identify something fast enough.

And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter

by James Brady on May 5, 2011 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Corner perhaps, but VD as nickle will excell beyond our dreams ... he is so damn quick I can't see flankers exploiting us anymore

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 May 5, 2011 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions

But he doesn't have skill, he has a terrible backpedal and he plays way too high.

And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter

by James Brady on May 5, 2011 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Being good in zone will be of little use here NJ

and I’ll say with more hope than conviction that the Dyke is this year’s Sam Shields. Miami’s lack of player development will benefit the Raiders.

I'm a freaky streaker like Winnie the Pooh—T-shirt, no pants and I dance the boog-a-loo

by Rich Langford on May 5, 2011 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Calling it now Chekwa >>>>>>>> Van Dyke, by a mile.

And then God created Saturn ... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it. ... Always a ninja
SaberCats Examiner | SB Nation Bay Area | Niners Nation | Twitter

by James Brady on May 5, 2011 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions

I think Nnamdis coming back

but i dont think Johnson is, so i picked DVD

by RyanTheRaider on May 5, 2011 12:24 PM PDT reply actions

I think Kiper has grown weary of years of beatdowns from the Raider Nation

now he figures it’s safer just to be nice to us lol

I know absolutely nothing about this guy but if he is fast I say sign him up.
Long live Al

I think it's about time we all just agreed that NaS is the greatest of all-time.

by Ozraider on May 5, 2011 12:51 PM PDT reply actions

You got that right. Chucky's 3-day annual pounding on Ol' Mel finally wore him down ... nerves are shot and hairs falling out

by Sons-of-Blanda on May 5, 2011 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Both Mayock and Kiper doing the backpedal shuffle !!!!

They need to be paired up on Dancing with the so-called Sportcasters !!!!! But you got to admit, they ar doing it quite well, especially Mayock !!! You all know Kiper can change directions in the blink of an eye !!!! I’m waiting on ol fat mouth to throw his unwelcomed 2 cents in !!! Fat Sapp for those who don’t know whom I’m talking about !!!!

by papabegood on May 5, 2011 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions