NFL Mock Draft: Raiders Select JaMarcus Russell No. 1

With each pick of the FanHouse mock draft, we get into the head of an NFL general manager and let you know who he'll pick and why.

Let's be honest, the Raiders could go a number of different directions here during the NFL Drat, and probably none of them would be a surprise. This is, after all, the team that made Sebastian Janikowski a first-round draft pick. So nothing could be considered a shock here. Still, it is hard to imagine anybody else other than JaMarcus Russell going here. The Raiders have a glaring need at offensive line, but that is not always the safest pick. Besides, there will be plenty of good lineman available when the Raiders draft in the second and third rounds.

There are Raiders fans who are clamoring for Calvin Johnson, but receivers aren't always a safe bet, either. What good would having Johnson, Randy Moss and Jerry Porter, and nobody to get them that ball? Brady Quinn was intriguing, but Russell has all of the tools the Raiders are looking for.

The Skinny
Team Needs: OB, OL, Owner
Player Selected: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Also Considered: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech; Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame; Joe Thomas, T, Wisconsin.

Previous Picks:
No. 1 Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
No. 2 Lions: Next