Raiders need help on defensive line

Raiders coach Lane Kiffin has made the case for selecting a defensive lineman with the fourth overall pick in the draft – assuming the team doesn't trade down.

But when coaches discuss the NFL draft, it's best to believe half of what you hear and none of what you see.

It wasn't as if Kiffin begged for an addition to the defensive front. As expected, he was coy.

"As you guys know, there could be a couple of very good defensive linemen available there at that pick," Kiffin said at the league owners' meetings last month.

But whether Kiffin is being sincere or simply letting his opinion be known should the Raiders pass on defensive-line help in favor of a flashy pick such as Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, the Raiders' need on the defensive line is very real.

Since using the second overall pick in 1997 on defensive tackle Darrell Russell, the Raiders have selected a defensive lineman in the first two rounds three times. The only first-round pick was Tyler Brayton, the last pick in the opening round in 2003.

The Raiders, having relied on late-round picks and free agency to fill the holes on the defensive line, find themselves thin at defensive end and without a proven star at defensive tackle. So now might be the time to invest in a player who could anchor the defensive front.

The Raiders paid Tommy Kelly to be their mainstay at defensive tackle when he was re-signed to a seven-year, $50.5 million contract. The other defensive tackles include:

• Gerard Warren, the third overall pick in 2001 who is with his third team.

• Terdell Sands, who was underwhelming after signing a four-year, $17 million deal last year.

• William Joseph, a free-agent addition this year who disappointed as a 2003 first-round pick of the New York Giants.

That's why LSU's Glenn Dorsey or USC's Sedrick Ellis – the consensus two best defensive tackles available – would seem logical picks.

Then there's defensive end.

The Raiders have looked for a defensive end to play opposite Derrick Burgess and help with the pass rush after he emerged as a Pro Bowl player in 2005.

There have been disappointing high draft picks (Brayton), veterans nearing the end (Lance Johnstone) and high draft picks who didn't make the team (2007 third-round pick Quentin Moses).

The player to emerge as a complement to Burgess last season was Chris Clemons, whose eight sacks tied Burgess for the team lead. But Clemons left in free agency after seeing how much money Kelly was getting while reportedly being offered only $1 million.

Other than Burgess, the Raiders have a promising youngster in second-year pro Jay Richardson. But they often removed him in passing situations.

The team signed Kalimba Edwards after Detroit released the former second-round pick.

One of the top defensive ends could be available at No. 4: Virginia's Chris Long. He's the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Raider defensive lineman Howie Long, and probably the defensive end best prepared to help a team immediately.

There's also Vernon Gholston, possibly the best overall athlete in the draft.

Either he or Long almost certainly would start opposite Burgess when the Raiders open the season hosting the Denver Broncos on Sept. 8.

The real question is whether the Raiders really want a defensive lineman or they are simply trying to stop teams from trading ahead of them for McFadden.

About the writer:

• Read Jason Jones' Raiders blog at www.sacbee.com/blogs.