The Oakland Raiders came into the draft with the #1 pick, and a lot of a needs to fill. Usually if you have the #1 pick, it means you were the worst team in the NFL, and that usually means you have a lot of needs to fill, and coming into the draft this year, the Raiders looked to be in dire straits. However, the Raiders made some impact moves on draft day, but are they headed in the right direction? My review:

In 2006, Aaron Brooks and Andrew Walter both failed to show they could get the job done as the quarterback of the Oakland Raiders, so it was time to make a change. That made JaMarcus Russell of LSU, the draft's top quarterback prospect, the obvious choice with the #1 pick. Rumor is that Russell may be "redshirted" in 2007, but Russell should be the quarterback for the Raiders for many years to come.

Questionable Selection: Zach Miller, TE, Arizona State was at one time considered a first-round prospect, but after a poor combine, Miller wasn't expected to go higher than the late second-round. Trading down five picks, which enabled them to grab a 4th round pick (more to come), was a very good move, but drafting Zach Miller wasn't such a great move when they could have had Justin Blalock or Dwayne Jarrett.

Wheeling and Dealing: The Raiders made a very good trade when they used the 4th round pick acquired from the Cardinals in order to acquire quarterback Josh McCown and wide receiver Mike Williams from the Lions. In acquiring McCown, it gives them an opportunity to play a veteran quarterback while JaMarcus Russell learns the offense. Needless to say, McCown might not be an ample starter for the entire season, but if possible the Raiders would like to keep Russell on the bench in 2007 rather than push him into duty. Mike Williams has been a bust in Detroit, but seeing they only gave a 4th-round pick in this deal, Williams is definitely worth a shot, especially with Randy Moss out of Oakland. It sure made their original deal look better, as they acquired Zach Miller, Josh McCown, and Mike Williams with just one pick, especially when Miller likely would have been the pick anyways.

Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia had a very disappointing senior season, but he was considered one of the draft's top prospect at one time, and in the third round, Moses was worth the risk, and he may be a candidate to start this year and make an immediate contribution.

Mario Henderson, OT, Florida State probably could have been had on Day 2, and in order to acquire him they had to give a 3rd-rounder for next year, which will probably be higher than #91. Another very questionable selection from the Raiders.

Sleeper Stud: Johnnie Lee Higgins, WR, UTEP was not one of the premier receivers in the draft, but with his outstanding playmaking abilities he is somewhat of a poor man's Ted Ginn. The Raiders probably shouldn't have waited until the end of the third round to bring in a target for Russell, but with Johnnie Lee, Williams, Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry, and Doug Gabriel, they have a solid assortment of receivers which could possibly contain a breakout, and Higgins is the most likely candidate.

Steal: With the first pick of Day 2, the Raiders selected running back Michael Bush from Louisville. The reason Bush was available on Day 2 is due to his major injury concerns, due to breaking his leg during the season, and recently being forced to undergo surgery on his leg once again, but injuries aside, Bush was the 3rd best running back prospect in the draft this year, and if he can overcome his injuries, Bush should be a major steal.

Wheeling and Dealing: The biggest trade of Day 2 came when the Raiders traded star wide receiver Randy Moss to the Patriots for a 4th round pick which they used on John Bowie. John Bowie? Definite drop-off in value from Randy Moss, one of the league's best wide receivers, to John Bowie, a very raw cornerback prospect from Cincinatti. Regardless, the team needed to deal Moss, but Bowie was a reach in the fourth round.

Richardson, Frampton, O'Neal, and Holland are all going to have to fight to make the team. Richardson likely has the best chance as competition for Tyler Brayton and Quentin Moses for the end spot across from Derrick Burgess. Frampton has a chance to make the team as a backup, but with Huff and Schweigert solidly established as starters, he may be relegated to the practice squad. Holland has a shot due to the Raiders' slim receiving corps, but O'Neal is likely nothing more than a camp body with Justin Griffith and Zack Crockett already there as fullbacks, as well as LaMont Jordan, Dominic Rhodes, and Michael Bush at running back.

Final Grade: B- : JaMarcus Russell was a fantastic selection, but it was the obvious pick anyways. Their picking strategies on Day 1 were questionable in drafting Zach Miller early in round 2 and trading a 3rd rounder for next year in Mario Henderson when they probably could have gotten him with the pick acquired for Randy Moss, never mind the next two picks. The big plus for the Raiders was drafting Michael Bush with the first pick on Day 2, who could go on to a great future in the NFL if he recovers smoothly from injuries.

Up Next: Detroit Lions