Oakland Raiders 2010 Draft Review

The pre-draft buzz surrounding the Raiders was that they were going to select freak athlete Bruce Campbell as their future left tackle. They did. The  beauty of it was they picked him in the fourth round and not in the first like many talking heads speculated.  Rolando McClain is an excellent linebacker and has a very low bust factor.  Lamarr Houston is enticing as a 3-4 defensive end prospect, and Jared Veldheer could find a place sooner than later on the Raiders' offensive line. Campbell needs to get better at the football part of his game. The Raiders drafted the fastest timed player in WR Jacoby Ford. My favorite picks of their draft were the late round selections of Walter McFadden and Stevie Brown. This is one of the best drafts the Raiders have had in years based upon value.

Round 1, Pick 8

Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama

Ht: 6’ 3 3/8” Wt: 254

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  With the Raiders running a 3-4, McClain is an instinctive player that always seems to be around the ball.  Although he is not an elite, physical specimen, he's just a very good football player.    

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Big-framed, long-limbed playmaker who is far and away the top inside linebacker available in this year’s class. Possesses a unique blend of size, athletic ability and football smarts to step into a “30” front and start immediately.

NFL projection: Top-15 pick.

GM Jr’s scouting report:  McClain is a junior who came out early for the 2010 NFL Draft and based on his incredible performance in 2009 I do not believe he could have helped his draft status by staying for another season.  He has the smarts and instincts that NFL teams drool over as he can basically be a coach on the field who knows and carries out his assignment perfectly on every snap.  He is a big, strong linebacker who seems to enjoy make hard, physical tackles.  Of the tope three inside linebackers McClain was the least consistent in terms of overall production – In the games I evaluated he was involved in 1 play out of every 10.1 snaps, which is a very good ratio but it is not in the same class as the ratio in the 6.5 range that both Butler and Spikes accomplished.  Overall, I am always leery over over-drafting a player whose great instincts and football smarts help him to play bigger and be more productive than his level of athleticism indicates he should be able to.  I would be careful not to draft him in the Top 10 because he lacks the elite speed and tope end athleticism that are usually necessary to become impact, game changing players.  In our view he is a late 1^st round pick who will become a good, consistent starting inside linebacker who can be productive playing MLB in a 43 scheme or ILB in either 34 scheme. 

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  McClain’s accomplishments don’t override concerns some evaluations have about his transition from Nick Saban’s highly aggressive 3-4 scheme to the NFL.  McClain was protected in the Alabama scheme by 365-pound NG Terrence Cody, who tied up blockers up front.  McClain’s instincts mask his lack of elite speed, and there are concerns he’ll be able to hold up in coverage.  The other side of the argument is what McClain brings as a downhill thumper in the running game.  His status as a possible first-round pick and potential immediate difference-maker in the NFL should be safe.

Round 2, Pick 44

Lamarr Houston, DT, Texas

Ht: 6’ 2 ¾” Wt: 305

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Houston could be looked at as a defense end in the Raiders 3-4 alignment.  Houston is a stout, run stopper and has some pass rush skills but may need time to develop into a starter.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: An effective edge player who con- sistently makes his presence felt behind the line of scrimmage. Is best slanting, stunting and playing angles and would fit best for a one-gap attack such at that of the Eagles, Colts or Falcons. Should readily compete for a job as a three-technique in a “40” front.

NFL projection: Second- to third-round pick

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Houston’s compact build doesn’t fit what all teams are looking for in interior linemen.  However, his strength at the point of attack is undeniable, as is his motor and agility for his size.  Depth at the tackle position could push him out of the top 50 picks, but Houston could prove to be a bargain in the third round.  

Round 3, Pick 69

Jared Velheer, G, Hillsdale (Mich)

Ht: 6' 8 1/8" Wt: 312

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Another player who rose up the draft boards during the scouting process, Veldheer is player with excellent mesasurables, but his game tape doesn't reflect those numbers.  The Raiders, at this point, are willing to take a risk on him and hope he develops into a starting left tackle.  If he does not have to start immediately and has time to develop, this could be the case.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Was able to rely on his size to eclipse undersized small-school competition but does not play to his weight-room numbers and will struggle to protect his frame at the next level. Height creates a natural leverage disadvantage, but possesses outstanding measurables to attract interest as a developmental left tackle prospect with upside. Impressive Texas vs. the Nation and Combine performances could drive up his value. More athletic than Eagles 2005 fourth-round pick Todd Herremans and could be most ideally suited at left guard in the pros. Has eventual starter potential but will require patience.

NFL projection: Second- to third-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Veldheer has unpolished pass-protection technique but didn’t shy away from contact and looked very solid in the Texas vs. the Nation all-star game week.  The size, strength, durability and love of the game he displays make him an outstanding prospect sure to work his way up draft boards. 

Round 4, Pick 106

Bruce Campbell, OT, Maryland

Ht: 6’ 6 3/8” Wt: 314

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  A rare athlete, Campbell's physical abilities have not related directly to his play - yet. Rumored to be Oakland's first round pick, they did an excellent job of selecting him in the appropriate place as he is a developmental prospect.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report: Looks like the eighth wonder of the world and is a first-round cinch on talent alone but is far from a finished product and should be considered a developmental project at this stage in his career. Still must learn how to run block and polish his feet and technique in pass protection and prove he can stay healthy. A bold decision maker will likely gamble on his great upside in the first round, hinging on his “special” talent and banking that he will be able to hone his athletic gifts. Is most ideally suited for a zone-blocking scheme. A gamble-on-greatness pick.

NFL projection: First-round pick.

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  A starter at left tackle since his sophomore season, teams consider Campbell a top 50 prospect because of his frame, length and agility.  But his relative lack of experience and consistency as a run blocker both on the line and in space will make scouts wonder if he’ll be an elite player on the next level.

Round 4, Pick 108 

Jacoby Ford, WR, Clemson

Ht: 5' 9" Wt: 186

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Ford is blazing fast.  The problem is it seems to be more track speed than actual football speed.  Perhaps he can help out on special teams, but I don't see him developing into a full-time receiver for the Raiders.  

Lindy’s Sports scouting report:  Due to his dynamic speed, Ford is often miscast only as a deep threat.  He showed improved toughness across the middle and attention to detail as a route-runner in 2009, emerging for the first time in his career as Clemson’s leading receiver.  His 56 receptions for 779 yards and six touchdowns earned him second-team All-ACC honors. 

Round 5, Pick 138 

Walter McFadden, DB, Auburn
Ht: 5' 11" Wt: 172

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  McFadden is a prototype nickel corner and one of the sleepers in this draft.  He could help the Raiders immediately because of his excellent instincts and disciplined play.  

Pro Football Weekly’s scouting report:   Confident, competitive, thinly built man-cover corner with speed who has a knack for shadowing receivers. Lack of stature is limiting, but most of his flaws are coachable, and he will be one of the first non-Combine participants off the board.

NFL projection: Third- to fourth-round pick.

Round 6, Pick 190Travis Goethel, LB, Arizona State
Ht: 6' 2" Wt: 240

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  The Raiders add another inside linebacker and special teams player.  Goethel has an excellent work ethic and will probably make a Raiders' team that is lacking depth at this position.  

GM Jr’s scouting report:  Gothel is the classic over-achieving MLB who struggles greatly to carry his college production onto the NFL. He has all the intangibles that NFL teams want, but lacks the foot quicks, agility and playing speed to make plays out-side of a small area in the NFL and cannot adjust to tackle well out in space. Overall, Goethel is not going to be drafted because of his lack of athleticism, but his toughness, instincts, smarts and intangibles will likely lead to him being signed as a free agent. He is going to have a tough time carving out a long NFL career, but is the type of player who often finds a way to make teams because he has all the great intangibles that NFL coaches fall in love with.

Round 7, Pick 215

Jeremy Ware, DB, Michigan State

Ht: 5' 10" Wt: 181

EMQB’s analysis on the pick:  Character concerns are what kept Ware from being drafted earlier, but he is a good man-receiver and has the strength to play the bump and run.  

GM Jr’s scouting report:  Ware is a first-year starter at field CB for the Spartans in 2009. He has a good size frame with very good arm length & some definite growth potential to develop for the position at the next level. He is just an average overall athlete with marginal recovery speed downfield as a m/m coverage player. He is most effective in press m/m coverage underneath, where he can use his strength to jam/re-direct the receiver. He has tight hips in his pedal & in his transition in space. He often puts himself in good coverage position, but lacks the burst to close quickness to make many plays on the ball. He really struggles to find the ball over his shoulder downfield. He is consistently beaten by double-moves due to his stiff hips & lack of recovery. He is an aggressive & physical player in run support on the perimeter. He prefers to knife tackle low. Overall, he has great size with limited athletic upside to ever develop into a good m/m coverage player at the NFL level. His best chance is to be signed by a team that employs a cover-2 defensive scheme. He lacks enough ability to every become a starter or a quality back-up in the NFL.

Round 7, Pick 251 
Stevie Brown, DB, Michigan
Ht: 5' 11" Wt: 212

EMQB’s analysis on the pick: Brown played out of position last season at Michigan which limited his ability to show his true coverage skills.  The Raiders pulled the trigger and could get the steal of the draft.  

Pro Football Weekly 2010 Draft Preview available @ http://www.pfwstore.com/detail.aspx?ID=695

GM Jr. 2010 Draft Guide available @ http://gmjrnfldraft.com/

Lindy’s Sports 2010 Draft Guide available @http://www.lindyssports.com/product.php?cn=332

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