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They may not have had many picks but as always the Raiders found a way to make a big splash on Draft Day. Oakland capped off a free agency spending spree by using their top pick on arguably the most exciting, high-profile player available. But after five consecutive seasons in last place will those moves be enough to finally turn their fortunes around? 
The Oakland Raiders certainly had options with the #4 overall pick but was there really ever any doubt that Al Davis would select Darren McFadden if given the opportunity? Sure you can make the case that Vernon Gholston would have addressed a bigger need and that Glenn Dorsey was the best player available but at the end of the day McFadden is exactly the type of rare athletic specimen with elite speed that Davis has always coveted. Oakland did have a productive rushing attack last year but you don't pass on a talent like McFadden just because you have Justin Fargas. Sure Fargas played well down the stretch last year but he did have his season cut short by an injury, a common theme dating back to his college days, and in his previous four years in the league he had made little or no impact. McFadden isn't in the same class as Adrian Peterson as a prospect but he isn't too far behind and there really isn't another player like him in the NFL. D-Mac may never be a 25-30 carry a game type in the pros but he is an explosive playmaker who defenses must account for on every play. The Raiders now have the most exciting young backfield in the league and you can't discount how much having an elite running back behind him will aid the development of their young quarterback JaMarcus Russell. Not only was McFadden the logical pick for a team run by Al Davis but he was also the right pick.The Raiders didn't have a second or a third round pick but they may have gotten a second or third round value at the top of round four in Connecticut defensive back Tyvon Branch. A workout warrior with an ideal blend of size (5-11, 204) and speed (4.31), Branch can play either cornerback or safety and even though he isn't much of a playmaker in the secondary he can deliver the big hit. Look for Branch to provide depth at a couple of positions as a rookie and he could make his greatest impact on special teams as a kick returner. 
Later in round four the Raiders continued their overhaul of the wide receiver position by selecting Richmond's Arman Shields. After missing most of his senior season with a knee injury Shields was flying under the radar to a degree, until he ran a 4.44 at almost 6-1 and 194 lbs. at the Scouting Combine that is. The wideout position is really wide open once you get past Javon Walker and Ron Curry so there may be an opportunity for Shields to win the #3 or #4 job relatively early on in his pro career.In round six Oakland finally landed a pass rusher when they selected Trevor Scott of Buffalo. A former tight end who only moved to defensive end a couple of years ago, Scott is still very raw but he's a great athlete with good speed and a lot of upside. Scott should also be a good fit for the Raiders hybrid defensive scheme, with the ability to play with his hand down in a 4-3 or standing up as a pass rushing outside linebacker in a 3-4. With their final choice the Raiders brought in one more wide receiver when they selected Chad Schilens of San Diego State. Another height / weight / speed prospect at 6-4 and 208 lbs. with a 4.38 forty time, Schilens was not very productive in college but is a real intriguing developmental prospect due to his measurables. This was basically a prototypical Al Davis draft, with all five of Oakland's selections fitting the profile in terms of what he looks for in a prospect. i.e. Big and Fast. When all is said and done McFadden will probably be the only key 2008 contributor to come out of this draft class but if he lives up to expectations that may be enough. You also have to factor in their trade of a second round pick for DeAngelo Hall and while some feel he is overrated there are plenty of teams who would jump at the chance to add a 24-year-old Pro Bowl cornerback. The success or failure of this draft will all come down to how well McFadden performs and expectations are sky high but if he can come through with a rookie year 3/4 as good as Adrian Peterson's the Raiders will be very happy. I was going to give this class a C+ simply because McFadden is probably the only guy who will play a major role early on but because DeAngelo Hall has to be considered part of their haul as well they get a last minute bump. GRADE: B 
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