Positions the Oakland Raiders Will Not Draft

Bret Armstrong – Apr 26, 2012

Some people like to reitterate that Reggie McKenzie said the Raiders will select the best player on the board regardless of position or need. That's the most idiotic thing in the world. I will bet my hard earned money that the Raiders will not select a quarterback with the 95th overall pick even if he is the best available player.

It's just common sense. If you have Carson Palmer, along with Terrell Pryor (whom already cost a 3rd round pick) then you don't take the quarterback on the board.

Arguably, the biggest need for the Raiders right now is depth behind the starters. With that in mind, I'm going to give you the top five positions that the Raiders will not be drafting at any point this weekend.

5) Center

Originally, I thought the Raider might take a center high, then they signed Mike Brisiel and announced that second year interior lineman Stefen Wisniewski would be moving further inside.

With needs elsewhere along the line, following the departure of Bruce Campbell and the lack of other signings, I'm betting the Raiders aren't looking for a center immediately.

4) Fullback

Obviously, with Monase Tonga getting into the mix last year during the Marcel Reece injury period and proving he could play big boy football, the Raiders have very little need here.

Don't be surprised if both guys make the final 53-man roster and Reece gets moved around a lot this season. Reece creates mismatches and is quick and agile enough to line-up behind Tonga in goaline and short yardage situations.

3) Quarterback

Okay, so I kind of gave one away. But I originally said the Raiders won't draft a quarterback in the third round, now I'm saying they won't draft one at all.

The bottom line is they are trying to groom Pryor into that guy that is the primary back-up to Palmer. Granted, the two do have completely different quarterbacking styles, but that is indeed part of the challenge they've given to Pryor.

2) Safety

There is almost zero need at this position following the restructure of Michael Huff, the franchise tagging of Tyvon Branch, and the re-signing of Matt Giordano. These three could be starters for more than one team in the NFL.

Although the Raiders flirted with moving Huff to cornerback in 2011 and the early offseasons, odds are Huff will go back to the primary free safety after the signing of Shawntae Spencer and Ron Bartell to man the cornerback positions.

1) Tight End

The presence of Brandon Myers and the acclaim given to David Ausberry by Carson Palmer are enough to make me think the Raiders have their "competition" at this position. So the addition of the rookie developmental project Andre Hardy and the existence of Richard Gordon beef up the challenge for Myers and Ausberry.

Out of the four of these guys and the possibility of keeping two fullbacks, I'm almost certain they will at least wait until after the draft to look here.