NFL Draft Grades: Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders 2008 Draft Picks:

Round 1 (4): Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Round 4 (100): Tyvon Branch, CB, Connecticut
Round 4 (125): Arman Shields, WR, Richmond
Round 6 (169): Trevor Scott, DE, Buffalo
Round 7 (226): Chaz Schilens, WR, San Diego State

The Good: Well, the Raiders got arguably the most explosive player in the draft. They also landed a fourth-rounder for sending Fabian Washington to Baltimore, and promptly drafted the next Washington with Tyvon Branch. The team's second-round pick went to Atlanta for the rights to DeAngelo Hall, who, according to defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, makes up one half of the best cornerback tandem in the NFL. (Denver and Green Bay respectfully disagree.)

The Bad: JaMarcus Russell still doesn't have anyone to block for him, and the defensive line -- Warren Sapp-less and Tommy Kelly-ful -- didn't improve over the weekend. For as dynamic as McFadden should be, Glenn Dorsey might've made more of an impact, especially in the short-term.

The Grade: B-. It's hard to get too worked up about the holes the Raiders didn't fill because they now have McFadden to go along with Russell and Javon Walker. Let's just hope the patchwork offensive line can keep Andrew Walter on the bench.

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