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April 23, 2008

Mocking around this week

I’ve on the phone regularly the last two days talking up the NFL Draft and what the Raiders might do with the fourth overall selection.

And I’ve remained consistent. I think the Raiders will take a defensive lineman.

I’ll be appearing on SportsCenter tomorrow for another mock draft. I’ve selected DE Vernon Gholston or DE Chris Long in all the radio drafts I’ve been a part of.

DT Glenn Dorsey hasn’t been available in any mock draft I’ve been a part of. I only see Darren McFadden as an option if the Dorsey and Long are gone, the team doesn’t like DT Sedrick Ellis to take him fourth and the team changes its way of thinking and isn’t wowed by Gholston’s impressive athleticism.

Also, they’d have to all of a sudden not like Michael Bush, believe Justin Fargas will get hurt, think Dominic Rhodes might get suspended again and be resigned to the fact that LaMont Jordan will still be on the team.

In short, a lot would have to happen for another running back to worth drafting.

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The Kansas City Chiefs officially traded Pro Bowl DE Jared Allen, making them the favorite to be at the bottom of the AFC West again.

Allen was the brightest star for the Chiefs and he routinely terrorized the Raiders. His presence changed pass protection and forced the Raiders to usually run plays away from him.

The Chiefs will be even younger on defense and still need to rebuild their offensive line to protect Brodie Croyle or possibly Boston College QB Matt Ryan.

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Lane Kiffin will have his pre-draft press conference tomorrow at noon. It will be his first time addressing the local media in a group setting since Dec. 31.

All of my draft stories were due a while ago, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of talk about with Kiffin.

--Jason Jones

Posted by Ahmed Ortiz at 5:02 PM | Comments |