The Oakland Raiders had eight draft picks in the 2011 NFL draft. That means some 2010 Raider players won’t have jobs in Oakland come next season. One of my favorite quotes from the draft did not come from Hue Jackson, nor any other member of the Raiders. It actually came from Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach, Jack Del Rio, who said, “I hated it when a player was drafted that played my position.” He was referring to the 10th overall selection of Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert and what that selection means for QB David Garrard. With this mentality established, let’s take a look at what it could mean for some current Raider players when the “new guy” shows up for work. I’m going to look at eight guys who may not be Raiders next year and tell you who I think will replace them… at least on the roster.
I’ll start with the wide receivers, since that’s one of the more populated positions on the roster, and pass production was a popular premise of the Raiders draft philosophy. First, we’ll look at who’s most likely to be gone next season.
WR Johnnie Lee Higgins –Higgins was basically phased out of the Raiders passing game last year, though the Raiders were thin at times during the season at the position. In the rare instances Higgins did get his opportunity to contribute to the offense, he was virtually invisible. After showing promise following the 2008 season, Higgins has fallen off the radar and has not seen the end zone at all. Last year, he was even phased out of the punt and kick return duties for the Raiders.
Player that will replace him: Denarius Moore –The Raiders are looking for a solid fourth or fifth wide receiver who can come in and be productive when the starters have those nagging injuries. Moore may pick up the offense quicker because of three coaching changes in his last three seasons.
WR Nick Miller – Miller is a guy who you want to root for, but in all likelihood, the Raiders are going to carry one less wide receiver this year so they can carry either four running backs or three tight ends. Odds are they will keep Rock Cartwright over Nick Miller because he is a far more valuable commodity at the moment. Miller saw plenty of time returning punts last year, but he hardly saw the field on offense.
Player that will replace him: Taiwan Jones – Jones comes in ready to see playing time, whether on specially designed plays drawn up specifically for him, or in the Raiders return game. He should replace Miller on return duties.
OT/TE Khalif Barnes – Barnes has decided not to sign on for another year according to sources associated with the Raiders. One possible reason is Barnes wants a legit opportunity to be a left tackle for an NFL team. Since the Raiders are likely going to give Jared Veldheer more time to develop, Barnes has apparently decided to take his services elsewhere in 2011.
Player that will replace him: Richard Gordon – The selection of potentially two tight ends at the end of the Raiders draft class means that Hue Jackson wants a true tight end and not a huge left tackle trying to play tight end. Gordon was primarily a blocker in college and will likely fill the same role in the Raiders big sets and goal line formations.
Since we’re on the topic of offensive linemen, I’ll throw David Ausberry’s name into the mix. I know Ausberry is not a lineman, but the Raiders still need more replacements on the roster along the offensive line. With the potential departures of Langston Walker, Robert Gallery, and Mario Henderson, I’m looking for the Raiders to move up some of the practice squad offensive linemen. I think Ausberry’s first season will be spent on the Raiders’ practice squad.
LG Robert Gallery – Gallery has already punched his ticket and may have hoped to head to Seattle with former Head Coach Tom Cable. However, the Seahawks drafted heavily along the offensive line in the past couple of drafts; perhaps they are not a player in the Gallery auction. Gallery was an okay offensive lineman and he held a position of leadership for the team. The guy who replaces him has to carry the slight burden of his absence.
Player that will replace him: Stefen Wisniewski – The Raiders will expect a lot out of their second round pick this year and they have little doubt he will be able to deliver. Look for Wisniewski to step into a leadership role right off the bat on what will be a very young and inexperienced offensive line for the Raiders this year.
RT Langston Walker – It has become fairly evident that Walker’s best days as a Raider are over. After failing at left and right tackle in Buffalo, Walker rejoined the Raiders and played admirably in the absence of Robert Gallery at guard in 2009. But Walker just cannot keep his feet underneath him on the outside of the line like he used to. Believe it or not, the Raiders will end up with some good depth on the interior line and I don’t see them making it a permanent conversion for Walker. Plus, he is already considering retirement.
Player that will replace him: Joseph Barksdale – I’m very much expecting Barksdale to come into the Raiders training camp and win the right tackle spot. He started a ton of games against solid competition in college. He instantly upgrades the Raiders on the right side of the line against the pass rush.
Six down, two to go and it’s about to get more interesting.
FS Michael Huff – Rumor has it that Huff was not re-signed because of the 30 percent rule. That’s the same rule that did the Raiders in when they attempted to pick up the option on OLB Kamerion Wimbley’s contract. So there is an outside chance the Raiders could still re-sign Huff, but he could also become a hot commodity once he hits the open market. If Huff does ultimately depart the team, it will leave an open roster spot in the Raiders secondary.
Player that will replace him: Chimdi Chekwa – Hue Jackson is fairly positive that Chekwa will play cornerback for the Raiders this year. Still, the Raiders already have four safeties lined up for 2011 with Tyvon Branch, Mike Mitchell, Stevie Brown, and Hiram Eugene. Look for them to add depth to a cornerback position with a guy who could probably play all four positions in the secondary.
CB Nnamdi Asomugha – I seem to be on an island with very few others who think there’s a chance that Asomugha will give the Raiders a home team discount this year. In the event that Asomugha leaves, the Raiders will probably go with Chris Johnson and Stanford Routt as their starting cornerbacks. The fact that they drafted two guys tells you that they don’t really know what’s going to happen with Asomugha, but they are preparing for him to move on.
Player that will TRY to replace him: Demarcus Van Dyke – DVD is by no means a shutdown NFL cornerback. The closest thing the Raiders have is Routt if Asomugha departs. That depends on how much credence you lend to the “burn rate” stat that was recently developed to measure the completion percentage against cornerbacks. DVD has nowhere to go but up, but I’d be floored if he were the starting CB on opening day. I could, however, see him filling the nickel or perhaps dime cornerback role, depending on how Chekwa comes along.
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