The Oakland Raiders have always put a premium on speed but this weekend they outdid themselves. With the first pick they by passed two potential number 1 receivers in Missouri's Jeremy Macklin and Texas Techs Michael Crabtree to draft Maryland's Darrius Heyward-Bey. Heyward-Bey recorded the fastest 40 time in the combine (4.30), but is far from a refined receiver with question marks about his hands and route running abilities. He was projected by many to be a 2nd or 3rd round pick.

    With their second pick the Raiders selected Mike Mitchell a strong safety from the University of Ohio. Another Combine hero and another reach for the Raiders. Mitchell was projected to be a 4th or 5th round pick. With there next 4 picks they put a premium on speed and were willing to overlook football skills. The Raiders are in desperate need of a cornerback, linebacker and offensive lineman and they drafted none of these positions. The Raiders have been doing these kind of picks for 20+ years and have been mostly irrelevant for 20+ years. Maybe this year it will work.

-JJ Robichaud