FanPost

Do or Die Draft and Derwin James

Perhaps John Gruden, as many expect, will put his footprint on this coming draft, possibly exonerating Reggie McKenzie from his past shortcomings in talent and character evaluation. One needs to simply look at this week's latest headlines to legitimately question just what the increasingly beleagured Raider's GM is doing with this roster. In light of the past few disastrous drafts and the horrendous failures of some key FA acquisitions (Aldon Smith, David Amerson, Sean Smith, etc......to name the most recent), I'd argue this organization needs to nail this next month of player additions. I've said this for 2 full years now, but it bares repeating: Teams cannot miss on high (rds.1-3) draft picks consistently, which in fact is what McKenzie's record shows, and expect to be competitive. The chickens are now coming home to roost. And John Gruden may need to clean the chicken coop soon. That said, I'd like to propose a possible solution to the Raiders defensive woes and anemic secondary, now that Mr. Smith is headed to cell block H.

Could Obi Melifonwu transition to a possible CB role? He has the size, speed and athleticism to cover any big bodied WR in the NFL. If so, this could mean the Raiders would be able to target a true SS such as Derwin James next month. Think about it. That would give the Raiders the luxury of either finding a slot CB a bit later in the draft, resigning T.J. Carrie, or another FA CB prior to the draft. In turn, it also sures up their back end, allowing Gruden and McKenzie to focus on the front seven early. Having a secondary of Obi, James, Conley , Joseph and Carrie (or Colvin?) would be about as good a young secondary as one could ponder. Personally, I'd be ecstatic to get another SS, just in case Joseph (he showed little progress last year) or Obi bust at Safety. It's not that outlandish an idea, is it? Maybe the Raiders have an ideal CB in Obi already?

Regardless, a guy like Derwin James, if available, would be hard to pass on. Think Eric Berry. That would allow the Raiders to go LB, DT or Edge in rds. 2,3 and 4. As much as I love Vitamin V, I'm thinking James can impact a game more with TO's and occasional TD's on defense. This is all mute if James goes prior, but I think there's a heck of a chance he's sitting there. Oh, and fwiw, the guy can probably play CB, too. This combo suddenly puts tremendous speed and athleticism throughout our secondary. Kidding me?! O.M.G.

Now that big Mo and King Kong are available FA's, perhaps brass fills that DT need as well before the draft. Suh would be Lyle Alzado (RIP) reincarnated. We'll love him!!! Nasty, dirty.....sounds like a throwback Raider to me! Wishful thinking, though, for a GM who's shown little moxy thus far acquiring talent in FA (ok, I'll give him Osemele and Hudson, but that's all).

No time to proof read. Peace!