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The Raiders are another team without a ton to look forward to next year.  There were some who wrongly predicted Lane Kiffin was going to be fired but it appears the young coach has at least one more year although one wonders if he'd be better off not.  Although you never know with JaMarcus Russell behind center, as Vince Young showed us a few years ago, a young mobile leader behind center can change things quite quick.  Russell doesn't look to be as good as Young based on his limited playing time last year but you never know.  I don't this defense is is bad as it was last year but also not as good as the stats said 2 years ago.  Until the Raiders get some sort of consistency on offense the defense will continue to struggle.

The only bright spot of the dismal 4 and 12 season is the fact that they will have the #3 or #4 draft pick in the upcoming NFL draft pending a coin flip tiebreaker.  The concensus from the experts is that the raiders will go out and get my favorite player of this draft, Running Back Darren McFadden out of Arkansas.  I find it hard to believe no one will trade up to get him before #4 after seeing the mistakes teams made last year passing on Adrian Peterson.  But there's no reason the Raiders can't move up if they have to in order to get this great playmaker.  I don't think he'll be as good as an Adrian Peterson but he'll immediately be the best player on the team and help aleviate some pressure off of Jamarcus Russell.  We'll have to see on draft day as the Raiders has a nice history of screwing things up but I think they would be on route to having a superior draft if they get this great back.

Updated 3/17-- Jerry Porter has been signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

2008 NFL Draft Picks
1. RB Darren McFadden Arkansas

2. CB Tyvon Branch Connecticut

3. WR Arman Shields Richmond

4. TE Trevor Scott Buffalo

5. WR Chaz Schilens San Diego State

2008 Raiders Schedule

• Week 1-  Sep 8    Denver    10:15pm             
• Week 2-  Sep 14    @Kansas City    1:00pm             
• Week 3-  Sep 21    @Buffalo    1:00pm             
• Week 4-  Sep 28    San Diego    4:05pm             
• Week 5-     BYE                  
• Week 6-  Oct 12    @New Orleans    1:00pm             
• Week 7-  Oct 19    N.Y. Jets    4:15pm             
• Week 8-  Oct 26    @Baltimore    1:00pm             
• Week 9-  Nov 2    Atlanta    4:15pm             
• Week 10-  Nov 9    Carolina    4:05pm             
• Week 11-  Nov 16    @Miami    1:00pm             
• Week 12-  Nov 23    @Denver    4:05pm             
• Week 13-  Nov 30    Kansas City    4:15pm             
• Week 14-  Dec 4    @San Diego    8:15pm             
• Week 15-  Dec 14    New England    4:15pm             
• Week 16-  Dec 21    Houston    4:05pm             
• Week 17-  Dec 28    @Tampa Bay    1:00pm

For more info on the Oakland Raiders and more fantasy football analysis.