By method or madness: discerning the intentions of Al

Let's try a different approach, basing Al's draft choices on candidates that the Raiders have actually gone to the trouble of calling in for a workout. If the intentions of Al et al. can be discovered from the following then, at least, we will be better prepared for what lies ahead. These players were all invited and came to workout in the presence of Al himself.

Center:

Maurkice Pouncey - Florida (HT: 6-4⅛ WT: 304 40: 5.23) projected 1^st - high 2^nd round

Matthew Tennant - BC (HT: 6-4½ WT: 300 40: 5.16) projected: 3^rd round

Note: Here's a clear indication that Center is high priority that most of us were not emphasizing enough. I for one was looking ahead to Wisniewski next year but would be ecstatic with a solid Center. No Raider team has gone far without a great Center such as Barrett Robbins, Don Mosebar, Dave Dalby, Jim Otto (5 Super Bowls with these Centers and none without.

WR:

Golden Tate - Notre Dame (HT: 5-10¼ WT: 199 40: 4.42) projected 2^nd round

Trent Guy - Lousiville (HT: 5-8 WT: 171 40: 4.52) projected: 7^th round or untaken

Note: Be prepared for a WR in the 2^nd round; perhaps the next Tim Brown.

MLB:

Jamar Chaney - Mississippi St. (HT: 6-0¾ WT: 242 40: 4.54) projected 3^rd round

Note: Not a horrible choice in the 3^rd even though Jamar is not a hard hitter and although he played college ball in the Deep South, he grew up safely away from ts corrosive influences.

Defensive Tackle:

Tyson Alualu - California (HT: 6-2⅜ WT: 295 -40: 4.87) projected: 3^rd - 4^th round

Note: We've only brought in a single DT and he lives 10 miles away. This does not bode well unless we are set on him.

OLB:
Dekoda Watson - Florida State (HT: 6-1⅜ WT: 240 40: 4.56) projected: 4^th round

DE/OLB

Jerry Hughes - TCU (HT: 6-2 WT: 255 40: 4.69) projected: 3^rd round

Daniel Te'o-Nesheim - Washington (HT: 6-3½ - WT: 263 - 40: 4.75) projected: 6^th round

Offensive Tackle:

Marshall Newhouse - TCU (HT: 6-3¾ WT: 319 40: 5.00) projected 6^th round [note: reports that he will be converted to Guard in the NFL)
Kevin Haslam - Rutgers (HT: 6-4¾ WT: 304) projected: 7^th round

Nic Richmond - TCU (HT: 6-7 WT: 310) projected 7^th round

Note: Could one of these hidden gems make us forget Trent Williams and, in Newhouse's case, Iupati and become the answer to our prayers?

CB:

Leroy Vann - Florida A&M (HT: 5-9 WT: 188) projected 7^thround

Note: Would Stanford Routt, if nobody else, be delighted with this acquisition?

Safety:

Chad Jones - LSU (HT: 6-2⅛ WT: 221 40: 4.57) projected: 2^nd - 3^rd round

Stevie Brown - Michigan (HT: 5-11 WT: 212 - 40: 4.52) projected: 7^th round

Andrew Sandejo - Rice (HT: 6-1 WT: 221) projected: 7^th or untaken

Note: Men have far worse fetishes than Safeties.

Quarterback:

Sean Canfield - Oregon State (HT: 6-3¾ - WT: 223 40: 4.99) projected: 6^th round

Mike Kafka - Northwestern (HT: 6-2⅞ WT: 225 40: 4.93) projected: 6^th round

Jonathan Crompton - Tennessee (HT: 6-3 WT: 225 40: 4.89) projected: 6^th round

Note: We do not have a 6^th round pick so be looking for one of these in the 7^th.

RB:

Curtis Steele - Memphis (HT: 5-11-0 WT: 190 40: 4.60) projected 7^th round

Note: the antithesis of a FB and not what many of us were hoping for in the 7^th.

Love it or hate it, things may go like this:

Round 1 (draft pick #8) Center: Maurkice Pouncey

Round 2 (draft pick #39) Wide Receiver: Golden Tate

Round 3 (draft pick #69) Middle Linebacker: Jamar Chaney

Round 4 (draft pick #116) Defensive Tackle: Tyson Alualu

Round 5 (draft pick #148) Offensive Tackle: Marshall Newhouse

Round 7 (draft pick #225) Quarterback: Mike Kafka