Draft Grades: Raiders

I don't even know where to start with the Raiders. In terms of initial reactions, this was by far the worst draft I've seen in the six years I've been running DraftAce.com.

Darrius Heyward-Bey is a very talented receiver. Unfortunately that talent only comes out in workouts. He rarely makes plays on the field that live up to his physical ability. His apologists are quick to point out the inconsistent play of his quarterbacks at Maryland, but we've seen plenty of receivers in recent years find success in spite of their quarterback's play (Calvin Johnson, Hakeem Nicks to name a few). Heyward-Bey had a chance to develop into a good receiver had he landed in the right system, but being selected by the Raiders could end his career before it even starts. Through no fault of his own, he has been put in a position to fail.

While Heyward-Bey was a reach, at least most felt he was a worthy of a late 1st-round selection. Michael Mitchell, however, was the biggest reach I have ever seen in the draft. Teams reach for players all the time, but never before have I seen a player drafted in the 2nd round that shouldn't have heard his name called at all. Mitchell is a decent athlete, but I don't see him as an impact player in the NFL. He may play for the Raiders right away, but only because safety is a serious question mark for them right now.

Matt Shaughnessy was a reach in the 3rd round. I think he could be a decent player, but defensive end is arguably one of their strengths. With so many needs, I can't justify reaching for another position in the 3rd round. There were still quality players on the board that could have helped in areas of need.

Louis Murphy is a decent 4th round selection. He has speed (of course you probably already knew that since the Raiders drafted him) and he's a decent route runner. He'll be a good 3rd or 4th option at receiver.

Slade Norris played both defensive end and outside linebacker in college but is undersized and will move to linebacker in the NFL. He's very raw and will offer very little immediate help. He's a decent pass rusher, but that's about all he brings to the table at this point in time.

I like Stryker Sulak but he's very similar to Slade Norris. He's a little bigger and could probably play defensive line, but he's a one-dimensional pass rusher.

Brandon Myers will struggle to make the roster. Tight end isn't a need and he doesn't offer much that the Raiders don't already have.

No one had a worse draft than the Raiders. In fact, no one came even close. I've never seen a team make so many horrendous reaches in one draft. The Raiders failed to land a single player that will make an impact in 2009. We can expect to see them drafting in the top 10 again next year.

Grade: F

Visit Tracker: Jeremy Maclin

Ed Thompson of Scout.com is reporting that Jeremy Maclin has or will visit the Browns, Bengals, Lions, Jets, Rams and Raiders (his current destination in my latest mock draft ).

There aren't any real surprises on that list, except perhaps the Lions. However, if Maclin were to fall to No. 20 I don't think anyone would fault Detroit for selecting a wide receiver. The Jeremy Maclin-Calvin Johnson combo could be special.

There is one notable team missing from that list, however: the Jacksonville Jaguars. I have been harping on this all offseason, perhaps too much, but I am convinced that the Jaguars have no interest in taking yet another receiver in the 1st round. After watching Reggie Williams and Matt Jones flame-out, there simply isn't a desire to dip back into that well.

At this point, its looking like Oakland is the most likely destination for Maclin. Al Davis loves speed, and we know Maclin's got it. Don't count out the Bengals, however. Two of their top intersts, Andre Smith and B.J. Raji may have too mcuh baggage to bring into Cincinnati, thus making Maclin the safe choice.

Myth Busters: Why Andre Smith Won't Be A Top 10 Pick?

For full disclosure, I didn't give Andre Smith a top 10 grade even before the combine. Offseason mishaps aside, I believe he lacks the quickness and general athleticism to play the left tackle position. He could be a very good right tackle or guard, but the money rewarded to top 10 picks is well above the pay grade for those positions.

However, even if you believe he can play left tackle and was deserving of a top 10 pick, his postseason workouts and shenanigans at the combine should have convinced you otherwise. In the end, Smith will fall out of the top 10 and possibly all the way into the late first round.

Here's why...

1) The supply outweighs the demand. Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe have already solidified their place in the top 10 and Michael Oher isn't far behind. Any team that is desperate for a tackle - perhaps the Bengals, Raiders or 49ers - should be able to get their hands one of those three players if they want. A simple trade up or a reach for Oher would get the job done. There is no need to take a major risk on a boom-or-bust prospect like Smith.

2) The character red flags are all over the place. He isn't the next Pacman Jones, but there is definitely reason to question his commitment to the game. When asked why he chose to play left tackle, he said it was because he learned it was the most well-paid position in the NFL. Smith has lacked the motivation to get in shape this offseason during the most important time of his life. Do you really believe he'll suddenly find motivation after he signs a multi-million dollar contract?

3) A combination of the first two: the teams that could make him a top 10 pick should know better than to take the risk. As I mentioned, the three teams most likely to make him a top 10 pick are the Bengals (can't take on another "character concern" for obvious reasons), the Raiders (want to avoid the next Robert Gallery) and 49ers (have experienced far too many 1st-round busts in recent years: Woods, Smith, Davis).

The earliest Smith will come off the board is No. 13 to Washington, but even that is no guarantee. His next best options are No. 16 to San Diego, No. 20 to Detroit (if they pass on Jason Smith) and No. 21 to Philadelphia.

No Crabtree for the Seahawks

The Seahawks have signed T.J. Houshmandzadeh, essentially eliminating any chance of them selecting Michael Crabtree with the 4th overall selection.

Despite Crabtree's name popping up next to the Seahawks in many mock drafts I've remained steady in my prediction that they will not target a receiver in the draft.

The Seahawks are a well-run organization and understand the importance of building through the draft. Selecting a wide receiver in the top ten is a desperation move that rarely leads to immediate success. Teams that draft a wide receiver that high are like a little kid getting distracted by a shiny object on the ground. They can't keep their hands off because, for the short term, it will keep them entertained. But in the long run, the interest doesn't last.

Even the best receivers selected in the top ten (Calvin Johnson, Braylon Edwards, Larry Fitzgerald) don't lead their teams to immediate success. Without a franchise quarterback and a solid offensive line there is nothing a receiver can do.

The Seahawks are not the type of team that falls into that trap. Now the Raiders... that's another story.

Jeremy Maclin Postpones Workout

Due to a knee injury that Jeremy Maclin suffered at the combine he will not work out on March 5 as originally planned. Instead he will postpone his workout until March 19.

The knee injury isn't serious, but a lot is riding on his workout so he's making the wise decision to take the time to recover. Scouts were disappointed to see him fail to run in the 4.3 range at Indy, so he'll be expected to reach that level running on his home turf at Missouri.

Even if he doesn't improve his 40 time Maclin is still a potential top 20 selection, but a 4.3 forty would ease the concerns of teams like the Raiders and Jaguars who could make him a top 10 pick.