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Previous Pick: Cincinnati Bengals

7. Oakland Raiders

-Michael Oher (LT/Ole Miss)

NFL.com

Al Davis has not used many draft picks on offensive linemen since Robert Gallery (2004).  He tried to get a solid left tackle by signing Kwame Harris away from the 49ers, but that situation just hasn’t been good. The offensive line allowed 39 sacks and recently released LT Kwame Harris allowed 7.5 sacks.

Since the Raiders have used a huge amount of resources on Darren McFadden and JaMarcus Russel, it makes sense to put them behind a solid line. By the 7th pick, I think Eugene Monroe and Jason Smith will be taken, so Michael Oher might be their best bet. After Andre Smith’s fiasco at the combine, Michael Oher moves to being the 3rd best tackle prospect. If Al Davis drafts for need at this pick, Oher would make sense.

Although he has been criticized for lack of intelligence and questionable consistency, he is very good with his feet. Besides the intangibles, Oher is every bit as gifted as the other top tackles. Going into this season, he was in the discussion for the number 1 pick of the draft.

-Michael Crabtree (WR/Texas Tech)

NFL.com

If Seattle passes on Crabtree, Oakland may be their next suitor.  The only reason I don’t think wide receiver is the obvious pick for Oakland is that they seem to be searching for a veteran who can step in immediately and provide Russel with a reliable target that can separate from defenders. I have a feeling that Davis may try to steal a top receiver like Anquan Boldin or Chad Johnson. If that doesn’t happen, then I can see receiver becoming the main target in the draft.

-Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR/Maryland)

NFL.com

Let me say that I don’t advocate picking any receiver this high except Michael Crabtree. But what Al Davis should do and will do often are very different things. With that said, Heyward-bey is hot right now after having an awesome combine. Not many players can run a 4.30 forty yard dash at 6’2. He is not only a straight line receiver, but can move laterally as well. Although not nearly as polished a receiver, Heyward-Bey’s athleticism reminds me of Calvin Johnson.

I’m not too impressed with Jeremy Maclin, and I think it might be too early to grab Hakeem Nicks from North Carolina. So, if Davis decided to make a reach on a wideout, I think he’d gamble on Heyward-Bey.

I thought about B.J Raji too, but the Raiders are paying Tommy Kelly too much to consider that at this point.

Next on the clock: Jacksonville Jaguars

Make sure to vote so we can compare the fan picks with my own! At the end of my completed mock draft I will show all the results.

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Winner’s Circle

Superman Linebacker Aaron Curry runs 40 yard dash (thanks to NFL.com)

1. Aaron Curry–Wake Forest/OLB

Solidified himself as a legit top 3 pick by running faster than all the linebackers, and actually placed a better time than a large number of the defensive backs at the combine. But keep in mind, he is also about 60 pounds heavier than most of the defensive backs! Furthermore, if you watched him in the position drills, he looked super smooth and fluid. Everything came effortlessly to him.  He should be a serious candidate at number 1 for the Lions after what he did this week. To top things off, he was the top performer in the 40 yard dash (4.56 sec), vertical leap (37 in), broad jump (10’4 ft), and 60 yard shuttle (11.35 sec). He finished 7th in the bench press, which was the only drill he participated in where he failed to achieve the top performance!

2. Jason Smith–Baylor/OT

After successfully navigating through all the drills, Smith emerged as a top performer in the bench press (33 reps), 3-cone drill (7.53 sec), and put up a respectable 5.22 sec in the 40 yard dash. He generally looked good in the position drills (especially the one where they mirror the defender), and Tom Kowalski of MLive.com said Smith was the most composed and mature of the elite tackle prospects during interviews.

3. Darrius Heyward-Bey–Maryland/WR

This was his coming out party. At Maryland, he was never properly utilized. But on Sunday, we saw a glimpse of what this guy could have done, and what he could athletically do  in the NFL.  Heyward-Bey was a top finisher in the bench press (16 reps), 40 yard dash (4.30 sec-fastest time at combine), broad jump (10’6 ft), vertical leap (38.5 in), 3-cone drill (6.80 sec), and 20 yard shuttle (4.18 sec). If he lives up to his athletic potential, the sky is the limit for him. But can he use that speed to get open?

To see him run at the combine click the wide receiver video here at NFL.com

4. Brian Cushing–USC/OLB

Had the top performance for bench press in the linebacker group. He was 7th fastest amongst linebackers in the 40 yard dash (4.76 sec), 10th in vertical leap (35 in), 7th in broad jump (10’0 ft), 1st in the 3-cone drill (6.84 sec), and 4th in 20 yard shuttle (4.22 sec).

5. Jared Cook–South Carolina/TE

Ran the fastest time for tight ends (4.50 sec), finished 1st in vertical leap (41 in), 1st in broad jump (10’3 ft), and 7th in bench press (23 reps).

Honorable Mentions

6. Evander Hood–Missouri/DT

He was 4th best bench presser (34 reps), and recorded one of the only defensive tackles to break 5.0 seconds in the 40 yard dash (4.91 sec).

7. Clay Matthews–USC/OLB

A walk-on at USC, and son of former NFL player Bruce Matthews. Finished in the top 10 in each of the following categories: 40 yard dash (4.67 sec), vertical leap (35.5 in), broad jump (10’1 ft), 3-cone drill (6.90 sec), and 20 yard shuttle (4.18 sec).

How did I do?

I published an article about a week ago, calling attention to 10 players to watch at the combine. Out of the 10 players to whom I called attention, I am excited to say only 1 player didn’t do as I hoped (Alex Mack). But he decided not to participate, so you’ll have to forgive me for that oversight. But every one of those players performed in the top 10 in at least one category. I’m excited! Take a look and tell me how you think I did.

Darrius Heyward-Bey– Maryland/WR

Kory Sheets photo provided by NFL.com

Bench press-16 reps

40 yard dash- 4.30 sec

vertical leap-38.5 in

Percy Harvin–Florida/WR

Bench press- 19 reps

40 yard dash- 4.41 sec

vertical leap- n/a

Jeremy Maclin–Missouri/WR

40 yard dash- 4.44 sec

Chris Wells–Ohio St/HB

Bench press-25 reps

40 yard dash- 4.59 sec

vertical leap-33.5 in

Knowshon Moreno–Georgia/HB

Bench press-25 reps

40 yard dash- 4.60 sec

vertical leap-35.5 in

*Surprise Performance:*

Andre Brown– North Carolina St/HB

Bench press-24 reps

40 yard dash- 4.49 sec

vertical leap-37 in