Oakland Raiders - AFC West, 2008 Draft Selections & Prospects
Oakland
Raiders
The Draft Was
... All about Darren McFadden. If turns out to be as good as
he's supposed to be, nothing else matters. This team needs
playmakers, and McFadden is the ultimate home-run prospect. It
won't be a shock if he's the only draft pick who makes the team.
Best Value Pick: Tyvon Branch, CB Connecticut. 4th round.
In a big draft for corners, Branch flew a bit under the radar.
It's not like Oakland needed a corner, but he was too good to
pass up. Biggest Reach: Arman Shields, WR Richmond. 4th round.
He's a special teamer, even with his 4.4 speed. Never all that
great at the lower level, he's the type of prospect the Raiders
fall in love with in the workout but take too early from the
film room. They Should've ... Addressed the needs. Oakland didn't
need a running back, but there's no complaining about taking
McFadden. It didn't need a corner, but Branch was worth it.
Where are the sure-thing receivers to help JaMarcus Russell?
Where's the defensive line help?
#
Pick
4
4
1st Round
Darren McFadden, RB Arkansas
While it might be easy to blow off the off-the-field issues and
the character questions, they do merit attention. Is he Rashaan
Salaam/Curtis Enis once he hits the big time? The speed is
jaw-dropping, the burst and quickness are phenomenal, and the
college résumé is unquestioned. Physically, at the next level,
his issues could be with ball security and getting into the open
to make the long runs he'll need to make a big impact. NFL backs
don't get into the clear all that often; the breakaway speed
won't matter as much outside of roughly six times a year. Just
ask Reggie Bush. It'll be the ability to pound it inside on a
regular basis that'll be the key, and his upright running style
will get him popped a little too often. With his frame,
body-type, and speed, he could be the next Robert Smith. That's
not a negative. CFN Projection: Early First RoundCFN Position Rank: 2
1
100
4th Round
(from Dallas)
Tyvon
Branch, CB/FS Connecticut
4.36. Branch was considered a nice prospect with good size and
excellent production over the last few seasons, and then he came
to the Combine and ripped off a 4.36. A great tackler, he made
168 over the last two seasons, but he only picked off three
career passes. His value as a returner will only make him more
attractive; he'll make an impact in some was on special teams
from the moment he steps on the field. If he struggles at
corner, he'd make a whale of a free safety. CFN Projection: Third Round CFN
Position Rank: 6
26
125
4th Round
(from trade)Arman
Shields, WR Richmond
Eyes open up when you run a 4.41. One of the quickest most
productive prospects at the Combine, he showed he could cut on a
dime, run as well as anyone, and put up the kind of numbers many
of the top ten receiver prospects would love to have. He hurt
his knee in college and was never an ultra-productive player,
even at the lower level. He'll have to find a niche on special
teams and he'll have to something special early in training camp
to stick around. CFN Projection: Sixth Round
CFN Position Rank:31
3
169
6th Round
Trevor Scott, DE Buffalo
The former tight end is making himself into a good end. At close
to 6-5 and 256 pounds, he has a frame that could support a lot
more weight, and he's just scratching the surface on what he can
become. He tries his tail off and is more than happy to work on
becoming as good as he can possibly become, but he's far from
being an NFL defensive end. He needs to get a lot stronger and a
little bigger. CFN Projection: Sixth Round CFN
Position Rank: 21
19
226
7th Round
Chaz Schillens, WR San Diego State
Schillens is a flier on speed. He didn't do much of anything in
college, and was a disappointment considering his potential, but
at 6-4 and 208 pounds with 4.39 wheels, the measurables are
there to warrant a chance. He needs to learn how to run routes
and be a crisper all-around target. CFN Projection: Free Agent CFN
Position Rank: 39
