Raiders needs: With Al Davis in charge, all bets are off

What will Al do?

That's the question you always hear from the mouths of league personnel people when they discuss the Oakland Raiders and the NFL Draft.

Owner Al Davis has kept a firm grip on the Raiders front office. (Getty Images)

Can anyone figure out what Al Davis will do?

The Raiders all-ruling owner makes the football decisions still for a team that is in bad need of some good ones. Davis spent lavishly last offseason on free agents, some his own, in hopes of getting back to the playoffs.

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It backfired.

Two of those high-priced players -- corner DeAngelo Hall and safety Gibril Wilson -- are gone. Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly is still around, but he didn't come close to playing up to his contract last season.

The Raiders weren't active at all this time around in free agency, which means the focus is back on the draft -- where it should be.

The good news is the Raiders have a quarterback to build around in JaMarcus Russell, who started to show signs of being a quality passer late last season.

They also have a crowded backfield that includes last year's top pick, Darren McFadden. But they need to get help at receiver for Russell.

On defense, they need help in a lot of places. A power player inside next to Kelly would be nice, as would a pass-rush end.

So what will it be in the first round? What will Al do?

Does anybody know for sure? Does Al?

QB: Russell started to show well late last season and this could be his breakout season. If not, Jeff Garcia was signed to be the backup and can step in and get it done in the pinch. Andrew Walter and Bruce Gradkowski are also on the roster.

RB: The Raiders used a high pick on McFadden last year, and he should be ready for an explosive second season. There is depth behind him in Justin Fargas and Michael Bush. This is a deep position.

WR: This is a major position of need. If they had to play now, the starters would be Chaz Schillens and Javon Walker. That's troublesome. The backups are Johnnie Lee Higgins and Todd Watkins. They need to find a go-to receiver in this draft, maybe even in the first round.

TE: Zach Miller is a rising star. He has the ability to stretch the middle of the field. Russell will come to love him as a security blanket. Tony Stewart is the backup.

OL: The Raiders had issues at left tackle, but think Khalif Barnes can fill that hole. When he's focused, he's a good player. Left guard Robert Gallery is a good player, and Cooper Carlisle played well last season. There will be a new center in Samson Satele, who came over in a trade from Miami. There is some depth in John Wade and Mario Henderson.

DL: The defensive front was a big disappointment last season. Kelly signed a big contract and then didn't play well. The ends didn't get enough pressure. Derrick Burgess and Jay Richardson are the starters at ends, with Gerard Warren next to Kelly. William Joseph and Terdell Sands are good backups inside, but the depth at end isn't much.

LB: Thomas Howard (WLB) and Kirk Morrison (MLB) are two good players. They don't get the attention they deserve playing in Oakland. The other spot is up for grabs, but Ricky Brown has the inside track. Sam Williams will push him. Jon Alston provides depth.

Secondary: In Nnamdi Asomugha, the Raiders have the best corner in the league. Few teams even throw at him. That will put a lot of pressure on Chris Johnson, the starter on the other side. He is raw, but they like him a lot. Stanford Routt is a good nickel corner. Michael Huff has never lived up to the billing at strong safety after being a high first-round pick, and Hiram Eugene is just OK as he takes over for Gibril Wilson. Tyvon Branch will push for time.