Oakland Raiders 2012 Draft Preview

Al Davis may no longer be calling the shots, but the flamboyant late owner's impact on the Raiders will still be felt this year and beyond. New general manager Reggie McKenzie inherited quite a mess as the result of a host of short-sighted decisions by Davis, including several that involved giving away nearly all of the franchise's picks in this draft. Though Oakland did receive three compensatory selections, it still won't be on the clock until the end of the third round (No. 95 overall) and McKenzie has just five total picks to choose from. He'll also have to do so wisely, with the Silver and Black still in search of substitutes for such offseason defections as pass-rushing linebacker Kamerion Wimbley, tight end Kevin Boss and reserve quarterback Jason Campbell. The running back position was weakened as well by Michael Bush's free-agent signing with Chicago, leaving the team without an established backup to the brittle Darren McFadden. Oakland may be in decent shape at cornerback if offseason pickup Ron Bartell is over a serious neck injury and fellow newcomer Shawntae Spencer can reclaim his onetime form in San Francisco, but both have to be considered rolls of the dice.

2011 Record: 8-8

Top Needs: TE, CB, RB

First Three Picks: No. 95, No. 129, No. 148

Number of Selections: 5 (3, 4, 5, 5, 6)

RECENT FIRST ROUND HISTORY: 2011 - none; 2010 - Rolando McClain (LB, Alabama); 2009 - Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR, Maryland); 2008 - Darren McFadden (RB, Arkansas); 2007 - JaMarcus Russell (QB, LSU); 2006 - Michael Huff (S, Texas); 2005 - Fabian Washington (CB, Nebraska); 2004 - Robert Gallery (OT, Iowa); 2003 - Nnamdi Asomugha (CB, California), Tyler Brayton (DE, Colorado).