Raiders 2013 NFL Draft Guide

With the draft just hours away, you are going to want to be thoroughly prepared for it. This article is intended to supply you with all the information you need to head into the draft prepared for anything.

The Basics

The draft will be held from Thursday, April 25 to Saturday, April 27 at Radio City Music Hall.

Round 1 -- Thursday, 5 p.m. PST

Rounds 2 & 3 -- Friday, 3:30 p.m. PST

Round 4-7 -- Saturday, 9:00am PST

The draft will be televised by both ESPN and NFL Network.

Raiders draft slots

The Raiders currently have 7 selections over the three days of the draft. They are as follows:

Round 1 (3 overall)

Round 3 (66)

Round 4 (100)

Round 6 (187th)

Round 6 (172)

Round 6 (205)

Round 7 (209)

Raiders 5 biggest draft needs

Defensive Tackle - All three starters from last season are gone. They signed Vance Walker and Pat Sims at each position but Walker is on a one-year deal and Sims is considered a rotational player. Behind them are two unproven young players in last year's round six pick Christo Bilukidi and reserve/future signee Johnny Jones. A solid, long term solution is still needed.

Defensive End -- The pass rush in Oakland was the worst it has been in quite some time. Their sack leaders had 4.0 sacks and now three of their top four pass rushers from last season are gone. Only Lamarr Houston remains. The Raiders signed Jason Hunter to play across from him but Hunter has never been more than a situational pass rusher. Behind them is last year's round five pick, Jack Crawford. The Raiders will need to add another defensive end to the mix or quarterbacks will throw all over them again next year.

Right Tackle -- Khalif Barnes has been re-signed which eases any stress over filling the position. However, this is the third year in a row Barnes has been brought back on a one-year deal. They also signed free agent Alex Barron to compete with Willie Smith. That trio doesn't excite anyone.

Cornerback - It was a busy off-season at corner for the Raiders. It had to be. They didn't have a single corner under contract when free agency started. They have no re-signed three of their own and brought in Tracy Porter and Mike Jenkins. All of them are on one-year deals and none are a sure thing. This regime's first young star corner needs to come from this draft.

Tight End -- Brandon Myers was the Raiders leading receiver last season. He is gone now. David Ausberry and Richard Gordon have not proven they can carry the load. Tight end is one of the few positions which the team did nothing in free agency. Look for that to change in the draft.

Click here to see the entire list of Raiders draft needs

Silver & Black Pride draft coverage

Raiders Draft Hub Page - Anything and everything we have written about the draft during the past few months can be found on this page. Our coverage during the draft will also be here.

Raider Draft Radar - A series of articles picking out players at each position who are on the Raiders draft radar screens.

4-Round NFL Mock Draft 4.0 - My fourth and final mock draft of the season.

Reggie McKenzie pre-draft press conference - Raiders GM speaks with the media about his plans for this year's draft.

Raiders final draft order - a breakdown of exactly what picks the Raiders have as well as how they got the picks they have and why they have no picks in certain rounds.

Al Davis Memorial Combine Freaks - The best combine performances by each position at the 2013 NFL Scouting Combine.

Follow @LeviDamien