Pancake Blocks Mock Draft: Pick No. 4
Oakland seems like the first flashpoint of this year's draft. Al Davis could go a lot of ways here, and it will affect how the rest of the top-ten falls. Longtime friend of the program Stephen G has the honors.
With the #4 selection in the 2008 NFL draft the Oakland Raiders select: JAKE LONG, OT, Michigan
Possibly overused terms already, but simply put, Jake Long is the best player available and more importantly the SAFEST BET of all the top 5 picks (including Chris Long). Jake Long will be a franchise left tackle in the NFL for the next decade plus. He rates out on par or better than top 2007 Browns rookie Joe Thomas who was a resounding success last season.
Darren McFadden & Vernon Gholston were definite considerations due to their considerable upside, but both had question marks (McFadden - off field issues, Gholston - position/tweener and measureables more than production). Bottom line, McFadden would have been the sexy pick to excite Raider Nation for the short term but not the correct pick if the Raiders ever plan to surface above mediocrity.
The Raiders haven't had a franchise LT since Art Shell. And the protection of 2007 1st overall draft pick QB JaMarcus Russell is of utmost importance. Add in the offseason re-signing of free agent RB revelation Justin Fargas (1,000+ rushing yards in the new one-cut zone blocking scheme), the quality depth at RB (Rhodes, Michael Bush, etc.), and Jake Long is the obvious choice at #4.
2008 Pancake Blocks Mock Draft
1. Miami Dolphins (Scott L.) - Chris Long
2. St. Louis Rams (Evan Silva) - Glenn Dorsey
3. Atlanta Falcons (Troy Hill) - Matt Ryan
4. Oakland Raiders (Stephen G.) - Jake Long
Comments
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Posted by: Fulwdhmc | July 14, 2009 10:45 AM