Luke Judge

The Raiders were another team who entered the offseason with a mess of a cap situation, but they’re used to it by now. The Raiders were reported to be the most over the cap prior to the CBA extension, but wasted little time getting under the cap, despite no major, surprising losses. The Raiders cut DT Ted Washington who was expected to retire, as well as QB Kerry Collins. The Raiders also restructured deals with FB Zach Crockett and OG Brad Badger. The Raiders are always a team to surprise as well already saw after naming Art Shell their new head coach, and with Shell back at the helm after over a decade, there are bound to be some growing pains. The Raiders aren’t expected to be a playoff team, but if Al Davis and Mike Lombardi make the right moves this offseason, being competitive isn’t out of the question. They won’t have a ton of money to spend, so don’t expect any major signings this offseason.

1. Trade 4th round pick to the Redskins for QB Patrick Ramsey

The Redskins, despite a CBA extension, are still shopping Ramsey and are reportedly looking for a mid-round pick. The Redskins could still use to save some money and have no need for Ramsey after drafting Jason Campbell in the first round last April. The Redskins could also use the extra draft pick, as they lack 1st & 4th round picks. For the Raiders, it gives them a young QB with some experience, who did a mediocre job as a starter with not much around him. Ramsey needs a change of scenery desperately, and the Raiders need a QB to compete with Andrew Walter, and be capable of being an effective starter, if they win the job.

2. Resign SS Jarrod Cooper, DT Terdell Sands, and OT Chad Slaughter

All will come cheap, and wouldn’t kill the team if they were forced into a starting role. Cooper is a good special teamer, adds depth, and can be used effectively when kept in the box. Sands has Ted Washington-like size and could be used as their run stuffer with a little refinement, as he showed after a respectable debut in 2005. Slaughter filled in late in the season at OT and did a decent job, as well.

3. Sign CB Deshea Townsend

He’ll replace Woodson, and add some experience to the secondary. He’s a solid, good cover CB. He’s not going intercept a ton of passes or dominate #1 WRs, but he’s consistent and physical. He could probably signed in the neighborhood of $2 million a year, and coming off a spectacular season, in which his defense helped win the Super Bowl, this could be a bargain for the Raiders.

4. Sign OG Tutan Reyes

Another fairly priced signing in a position the Raiders lack a starter. Reyes would thrust into the starting lineup, moving Brad Badger to a reserve, where he belongs. One new FA starter and draft pick on the line, with new offensive line head coach Jackie Slater, could be enough to revamp one of the Raiders’ biggest weaknesses.

5. Sign FB Tony Richardson

If the Raiders could pull this move off, they’d be made. Richardson, a wily veteran and former Chief, knows the AFC West better than anyone and is a brilliant run blocker, the Raiders desperately need. He might be fairly expensive, but would be well worth the pick up. He’ll garner some offers elsehwere, but there are a number of good fullbacks out there, so the market shouldn’t be too deep. Richardson is the type of smashmouth player the Raiders offense needs in order to thrive.

6. Sign LB Shantee Orr

The Texans switching back to a base 4-3 defense and returning injured LB Kailee Wong, won’t have much of a need for Orr. Orr can play DE or SLB, and is a great, cheap pass rusher. He showed great strides last season and isn’t too bad in space. He’ll come with a bargain-basement price tag and could start right away, and give the Raiders another pass-rushing option to compliment Derrick Burgess.

7. Cut RB Justin Fargas and WR Alvis Whitted

Fargas hasn’t been able to stay healthy, and is rarely used anyway. Whitted is a good deep threat, but with 2004 draft picks Johnnie Morant and Carlos Francis ready to play, and the Raiders keeping Ronald Curry, it drops Whitted to an unnecessary #7 on the depth chart. It doesn’t save much, but it’s a little over a million more the Raiders will have to spend.

8. Trade OLB/DE Tyler Brayton to the 49ers for 5th round pick

Former 1st round pick Brayton hasn’t been able to find a role with the Raiders, but he has the ideal size and tools to play OLB in the 3-4. The 49ers will need to replace Julian Peterson, and putting Brayton in there at a cheap price would give them three solid options in Brayton, Derek Smith, and Andre Carter.

9. Sign TE Matt Schobel

Shown he wasn’t capable of starting in Cincy, and they’ll look elsewhere for a new TE. The Raiders need some depth, and Schobel would be an effective back-up and good run blocker to compliment the pass-catching target, Courtney Anderson.

10. Sign RB Travis Minor

Cheap replacement for RB Justin Fargas.

11. Sign SS Ryan Clark

A cheap starter which they’ll need due to cutting Derrick Gibson.

1st Round Pick (#7): Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon

With the loss of Ted Washington, Ngata would give the Raiders an instant starter on the line and versatile player who can stuff the run and penetrate the line. He’s got great size and speed and would anchor the line for years to come. He’s not Mario Williams, as many had hoped for, but he’s the next best thing for this line.

2nd Round Pick (#38): Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State

With the vast amount of LB talent, someone is likely to fall into the Raiders lap here, be it Howard, Ernie Sims, DeMeco Ryans, or Bobby Carpenter. No matter who it is, it’ll be a great pick for the Raiders, and someone who would platoon with Orr (if signed) or start right away.

3rd Round Pick (#69): Daryn Colledge, OT, Boise State

Another player with first round talent, whose stock will fall due to tremendous depth at his position. Colledge isn’t big, but he is an excellent pass blocker, and has good footwork. He could start right away at LT, and leave Gallery at RT, or he could see time as their top back-up.

4th Round Pick (#100): Dwayne Slay, S, Texas Tech

Great size and an excellent tackler, he would make for a great 8th player in the box. He needs to work on his cover skills, but he could one day be a decent pass coverage strong safety. He’s still very raw, but if he is mentored properly, could be the hard-hitting safety the Raiders need and could start in a year or two.

5th Round Pick (#135): Julian Jenkins, DE, Stanford

Jenkins has good size and speed, can rush the passer and won’t kill you in the run game. He might not be able to start right away, but has all the intangibles to be successful. He’s also from California, which Al Davis seems to love.

6th Round Pick (#166): Willie Colon, OG, Hofstra

7th Round Pick (#197): Wendell Mathis, RB, Fresno State

Raider Updated Depth Chart:
(Starters in Bold)

QB: Patrick Ramsey, Andrew Walter, Marques Tuiasosopo
RB: LaMont Jordan, Travis Minor, Wendell Mathis
FB: Tony Richardson, Zach Crockett
WR1: Randy Moss, Ronald Curry, Carlos Francis
WR2: Jerry Porter, Doug Gabriel, Johnnie Morant
TE: Courtney Anderson, Matt Schobel, John Paul Foschi
RT: Langston Walker, Chad Slaughter
RG: Barry Sims, Willie Colon
C: Jake Grove, Adam Treu
LG: Tutan Reyes, Brad Badger
LT: Robert Gallery, Daryn Colledge

RDE: Derrick Burgess, Julian Jenkins
RDT: Haloti Ngata, Terdell Sands
LDT: Warren Sapp, Anttaj Hawthorne
LDE: Bobby Hamilton, Tommy Kelly
SLB: Shantee Orr, Sam Williams, Ryan Riddle
MLB: Danny Clark, Pasha Jackson
WLB: Kirk Morrison, Bobby Carpenter
CB1: Deshea Townsend, Nnamdi Asomugha, Renaldo Hill
CB2: Fabian Washington, Stanford Routt
FS: Stuart Schweigert, Jarrod Cooper
SS: Ryan Clark, Dwayne Slay

K: Sebatian Janikowski
P: Shane Lechler
KR/PR: Chris Carr

alvis jason campbell, mike lombardi, stuffer