The Spaz
04-18-2004, 05:30 PM
Raiders have filled many of their needs through free agency, signing six notable players to their defense since the end of last season. Two areas they have not addressed -- receiver and quarterback -- figure to be their priority at the NFL draft next weekend.
The Raiders have not commented. But several analysts expect them to take a receiver with the second pick, or lower if they trade down. Texas' Roy Williams and Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald top most receiver lists.
However, if Mississippi quarterback Eli Manning is not chosen No. 1 -- unlikely -- all bets are off.
The Raiders could get a potential franchise quarterback without making a move. Incumbent Rich Gannon is 38 and returning from season-ending shoulder surgery. Backup Marques Tuiasosopo has yet to prove himself and also is coming off a season-ending injury.
If Manning is not available, the Raiders probably would turn to Williams or Fitzgerald. Most analysts say they can't go wrong with either one.
The Raiders need a receiver to complement Jerry Porter next season or soon after. Jerry Rice is 41, and Tim Brown turns 38 in July.
There is growing talk that the Raiders could trade down a few spots and still get a receiver to fit their need. Some analysts have speculated that seven receivers could go in the opening round for the first time. In the past two decades, there have been only two drafts in which six receivers went in Round 1, 1988 and 2001.
With the Raiders brass of Al Davis and Mike Lombardi, anything is possible come draft weekend.
In 2000, when some speculated that Oakland would take a receiver in the first round, it picked kicker Sebastian Janikowski. A round later, the Raiders took Porter.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=knight-raiders&prov=knight&type=lgns
The Raiders have not commented. But several analysts expect them to take a receiver with the second pick, or lower if they trade down. Texas' Roy Williams and Pittsburgh's Larry Fitzgerald top most receiver lists.
However, if Mississippi quarterback Eli Manning is not chosen No. 1 -- unlikely -- all bets are off.
The Raiders could get a potential franchise quarterback without making a move. Incumbent Rich Gannon is 38 and returning from season-ending shoulder surgery. Backup Marques Tuiasosopo has yet to prove himself and also is coming off a season-ending injury.
If Manning is not available, the Raiders probably would turn to Williams or Fitzgerald. Most analysts say they can't go wrong with either one.
The Raiders need a receiver to complement Jerry Porter next season or soon after. Jerry Rice is 41, and Tim Brown turns 38 in July.
There is growing talk that the Raiders could trade down a few spots and still get a receiver to fit their need. Some analysts have speculated that seven receivers could go in the opening round for the first time. In the past two decades, there have been only two drafts in which six receivers went in Round 1, 1988 and 2001.
With the Raiders brass of Al Davis and Mike Lombardi, anything is possible come draft weekend.
In 2000, when some speculated that Oakland would take a receiver in the first round, it picked kicker Sebastian Janikowski. A round later, the Raiders took Porter.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=knight-raiders&prov=knight&type=lgns