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2011 OAKLAND RAIDERS DRAFT
RND 2 16 48 STEFEN WISNIEWSKI OL 6-3 313 PENN STATE
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OVERVIEW
Wisniewski comes from a football family and has the versatility to be a quality backup at the next level. He has great football intelligence, quickly recognizes stunts and blitzes and is rarely caught out of position. However, he lacks the lower body strength to generate a consistent push in the running game and will not thwart the bull rush in the NFL. He played guard early in his career and can line up at all three interior offensive line positions. Wisniewski has the smarts to make up for his lack of strength and will likely be a later round pick.
STREGTHS
Wisniewski is tall with adequate speed. Knowledgeable lineman that makes quality pre-snap reads and is always in sound position. Effective zone blocker that consistently picks up the right assignment. Slides and mirrors well in pass protection and delivers a good initial punch. Has experience playing both guard and center.
WEAKNESSES
Lacks the bulk and lower body strength to hold stout against bigger defensive tackles. Has poor footwork and struggles to sustain blocks. Takes poor angles moving to the second level and lacks the lateral agility to consistently make blocks in space. Does not always finish blocks and fails to show a mean streak.
RND 3 17 81 DeMARCUS VAN DYKE DB 6-1 178 MIAMI
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OVERVIEW
Van Dyke is a developmental sub-package defensive back prospect due to his track speed and height. Can do some good things in deep coverage and can recover but isn't sound in zone or underneath man coverage. Can make some plays on the ball but isn't going to rack up the interceptions. Is not physical when coming up to support the run. Isn't comfortable playing in a crowd but does break down well in space. Van Dyke was a dual-sport athlete at Miami (track) and has worked hard on the gridiron but only carries a mid-to-late round grade.
STRENGTHS
Van Dyke is blessed with great speed and good height for a corner. Track athlete who can recover when beat and shows good burst to the football. Does a good job defending the deep ball with his length and straight-line speed. Is a good tackler in the open field. Hard-working and durable.
WEAKNESSES
Overall defensive back skill set needs polish. Is not overly fluid when asked to turn and run or stick with savvy route-runners. Will drift from his position in zone coverage. Not a real playmaker in terms of coming down with the INT. Not very productive when coming up in run support.
RND 3 28 92 JOSEPH BARKSDALE OL 6-5 325 LSU
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OVERVIEW
Barksdale's a backup right tackle prospect with exceptional size but less-than-adequate athleticism for the next level. Uses his strength to stop the bull rush in pass protection, but has a difficult time dealing with double-moves or edge rushers. Can create some running room by walling off defenders but doesn't fire off the ball, get a ton of movement, or excel locating targets at the second level. Has good football IQ, picking up blitzers and staying home against stunts, but limited athleticism still causes him to be a step late at times. Developmental prospect worthy of a late-round pick.
STRENGTHS
Barksdale has ideal size for the tackle position. Capable of thwarting power pass rushers and using his windspan to push rushers past the pocket. Does a good job getting into position while running blocking and letting his size take over. Can picks up blitzing linebackers and stays home against stunts. Experienced and durable.
WEAKNESSES
Not a great overall athlete. Lacks some quickness and flexibility. Speed rushers give him problems in pass pro. 3-techiniques can beat him to the point in the running game. Not overly comfortable blocking in space. Not a true road-grader. Has natural strength but doesn't doesn't play with nastiness.
RND 4 16 112 CHIMDI CHEKWA DB 6-0 191 OHIO STATE
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OVERVIEW
Chekwa lacks the measurables to line up against a number one receiver in the NFL, but he has the skills to develop into an effective corner in sub packages. He is a smooth athlete that shows the hip fluidity to be solid in both man and zone coverage. He also flashes the ability to close quickly and break up passes on underneath routes. He does not have the explosiveness to mirror faster receivers and takes too long to fill in run support despite being a willing tackler. Overall, Chekwa is fluid enough to cover slot receivers and should be a Day 3 pick.
STRENGTHS
Chekwa has adequate height and bulk. Fluid through the hips and transitions smoothly to turn and run with receivers. Flashes the ability to close the gap when the ball is in the air. Locates the ball quickly and uses his hands to break up passess. Hard worker that is very coachable.
WEAKNESSES
Does not have enough speed to play on an island at the next level. Struggles to diagnose routes and is not always in proper position in coverage. Lacks reliable hands and drops too many potential picks. Takes poor angles in run support and does not shed blocks effectively. Has a nagging hip injury.
RND 4 28 125 TAIWAN JONES RB 6-0 194 EASTERN WASHINGTON
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OVERVIEW
Jones is an FCS-level prospect with the big-play ability to provide value as a backup running back but does not have the power, durability or ball security of an NFL starter. Is explosive and can take it the distance but doesn't have elite balance or elusiveness. Inconsistent reading and setting up blockers and locating backside holes but does a good job getting through seams in his vision. Could become a weapon in the passing game due to his speed, but his hands and ability to hold up in pass pro need to improve. Injury history should be investigated. Jones likely will hear his named called on Day 3.
STRENGTHS
Jones has good speed and a frame with some growth potential left in it. Reaches top speed quickly and can hit the hole in a hurry. Possesses the ability to get to the corner. Has home run potential if he gets a crack. Fights for extra yards. Potential mismatch in the passing game.
WEAKNESSES
Currently lacks the bulk of an every-down NFL running back. Dances too much in the backfield at times. Does not always locate holes away from the play design. Does not possess the power to put his head down and drive defenders backwards. Struggles to anchor in pass protection. Fumbles. Extensive injury history.
RND 5 17 148 DENARIUS MOORE WR 6-0 194 TENNESSEE
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OVERVIEW
Moore has the height, hands, and mentality to develop into a quality backup possession-type receiver in the NFL. However, at this time still needs to put on some more weight and would really benefit from gaining a step of initial quickness. Takes too long to reach top speed and will struggle to gain separation on underneath patterns. Is tough and productive making catches over the middle. Has the length, ball skills and top-end speed to potentially make some plays vertically. Flashes the ability to be a good run blocker and needs to be a little more nasty. Moore's carries a Day 3 grade.
STRENGTHS
Moore has good height and some deep speed. Has become a better route-runner. Sets up defensive backs with moves to gain separation. Has excellent hands and ball skills. Plucks and snatches the ball away from, and outside of, his frame with big hands. Can absorb a hit and hold onto the ball in traffic.
WEAKNESSES
Needs to add bulk but has the frame to do so. Does not possess adequate explosion and quickness. Is a speed builder. May take too long to get vertical at the next level. Doesn't have the fluidity to run sharp routes. Not going to shake many tackles in space.
RND 6 16 181 RICHARD GORDON TE 6-3 265 MIAMI
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Gordon was a late bloomer for the Hurricanes and was utilized mainly as a blocker in their scheme. Sporting News has had him as a high fifth-round prospect and sleeper all season. He has the ability to develop into a quality No. 2 tight end with the Raiders. Gordon caught 10 passes for 62 yards in college, but he is an effective blocker and shines on special teams. Zach Miller and Brandon Myers are under contract, but there's a need for a third tight end. Backup offensive lineman Khalif Barnes was used as an extra blocker last season. Gordon could assume Barnes' role. Even the big blocking tight end, Richard Gordon, they took in round six ran on the 4x100 relay team in high school. And despite being a stout 6-4, 265 pounds, he runs a 4.6 forty yard dash.
RND 7 38 241 DAVID AUSBERRY WR 6-4 243 USC
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Ausberry is a versatile prospect who has been a fullback/tight end/wide receiver. He should work his way into the league as a tight end and press the seam. At 6-3, 236 Ausberry could be converted to tight end. He doesn't have the desired speed for a wide receiver, and he caught only 20 passes his final college season. The Raiders are famous for converting players upon selecting them in the draft. Ausberry is a long-shot to make the 53-man roster. Ausberry, has speed in his blood as his cousin Tommie Smith won an Olympic gold medal in the 200 meter dash in 1968.