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The Raiders decided it was better to bite the bullet and get rid of Randy Moss as all they got in return was a 4th round pick (John Bowie, CB, Cincinnati) for him. In two seasons with the Raiders Moss played in 29 games (28 starts) and he caught 102 passes for 1,558 yards (15.3 avg) with 11 TD grabs. This will probably be addition by subtraction for the Raiders as they get rid of Moss’ cancerous attitude.
The Raiders have acquired QB Josh McCown and WR Mike Williams from the Detroit Lions for the 105th overall pick (4th round) in the NFL Draft. McCown will battle JaMarcus Russell and Andrew Walter for the starting job at quarterback on the Oakland Raiders. McCown has played 5 seasons in the NFL and he’s completed 498 of 862 passes (57.8%) for 5,431 yards with 25 TD passes and 29 interceptions (72.1 QB Rating). McCown has also run the football 94 times for 429 yards (4.6 ypc) with 3 TD runs.Â
Mike Williams was a first round pick just two years ago by the Detroit Lions who are giving up on him. Lane Kiffin coached him at USC and he believes that he can get a lot out of him. Williams has impressive size at 6’4″, 229 but his speed has been a little below par for an NFL WR. In 8 games last season for the Lions, Williams only caught 8 passes for 99 yards (12.4 avg) with 1 TD grab. In his 2 year in Detroit he played in 22 games (6 starts) and he caught 37 passes for 449 yards (12.1 avg) with 2 TD grabs. This was a good trade for the Raiders as all they gave up was a 4th for two players that have a chance to contribute to their team’s success.
The Raiders traded their 2nd round draft pick (#33 overall) to the Cardinals for the #38 overall pick and the #105 (4th round) pick. The Raiders made a nice move here moving down a couple of spots and picking up a 4th round selection.
The Oakland Raiders have drafted what they really need, a franchise quarterback with the #1 pick in the NFL Draft. Russell definately has the best skill set of any QB coming into the league this season. Russell is 6’6″, 260 pounds and he can run a 4.75 40 yard dash which is pretty impressive for a man his size. He has a rocket launcher attached to his shoulder as he’s completed 493 of 797 passes (61.9%) for 6,625 yards with 52 TD passes and only 21 interceptions in three seasons at LSU. It might take a while for Russell to adjust to the NFL game, but he had a 25-4 record as a starter at LSU so it might not take as long as most people think it will.
1. (1) JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU  Â
2. (38)Â Zach Miller, TE, Arizona StateÂ
3. (65)Â Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia
3. (91) Mario Henderson, OT, Florida State Â
3. (99)Â Johnnie Lee Higgins, WR, UTEP
4. (100)Â Michael Bush, RB, Louisville
4. (110)Â John Bowie, CB, Cincinnati
5. (138)Â Jay Richardson, DE, Ohio State
5. (165)Â Eric Frampton, S, Washington State
6. (175) Oren O’Neal, FB, Arkansas State
7. (254)Â Johnathan Holland, WR, Louisiana Tech
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The Raiders have released DE Lance Johnstone and G/T Brad Badger. Johnstone played in 11 games last season and he only made 16 tackles and had 2 sacks. Badger played in 7 games for the Raiders last season and he didn’t start any of them. Losing these players won’t hurt the Raiders one bit this season.
The Raiders have signed CB Kris Richard and DT Josh Shaw. Kris Richard has played in 39 games in his career to date and he’s made 33 tackles and 1 sack. He also has returned 5 punts for 31 yards (6.2 avg). He will be hard pressed to make the Raiders, but he has a better chance than Shaw does. Shaw has played in 9 games in the NFL and he only has 3 tackles.
I have conducted a complete 7 round draft for every team in the NFL. If you want to see what I have projected for any other team in the NFL, click on the team name in the right hand margin and go to the team’s Draft Report page if you don’t see the article on the front page of the site. This was a lot of work so I hope you enjoy it.
These are the players I have projected the Raiders to take in this month’s NFL Draft:
1. (1)Â JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSUÂ Â
2. (33)Â Tony Ugoh, OT, Arkansas
3. (65)Â Jason Hill, WR, Washington State
3. (99) Matt Spaeth, TE, Minnesota
4. (100)Â Jay Moore, DE, Nebraska
5. (138)Â Julius Wilson, OT, UAB
5. (165)Â Tim Duckworth, OG, Auburn
6. (175)Â Steve Breaston, WR, Michigan
7. (211)Â Michael Allen, TE, Whitworth
7. (254)Â Lester Ricard, QB, Tulane
These picks all should all make sense to Raiders fans who suffered watching their team show absolutely no offense last season. Even though Calvin Johnson is tempting, the Raiders can’t afford to pass on a player with JaMarcus Russell’s ability at the Raiders weakest position on the football field. Â
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The Raiders have signed Cooper Carlisle away from the enemy Denver Broncos for two seasons. Carlisle has started all 32 games the last two seasons for the Broncos and he will slide right into the starting lineup for the Raiders. The 6’5″, 295 pound veteran will do a good job for the Raiders and this was an excellent signing that will make the offense better.
The Raiders decided to re-sign 6’4″, 325 pound Corey Hulsey. He played in 5 games last season for the Raiders and started them all. He has 6 years of NFL experience covering 40 games (17 starts). Hulsey will battle for a starting job in Training Camp for the Raiders this season and it was smart of them to bring him back.