Join us today at 11:45 AM (ET) as Bullz-Eye NFL guru Anthony Stalter and I blog the first round of the NFL Draft. We’ll go pick-by-pick, discuss team needs, answer your questions, provide fantasy insight, rip on Mel Kiper and finally find out what the heck my team (the Packers) is going to do about its running back situation.
See you in a few.
JP: Good morning, everyone. We’re about a half hour away from the start of the draft. Anthony will be here in a few minutes. As the draft goes one, feel free to chime in with your questions and comments.
JP: The Raiders start things off with the first pick and there are conflicting reports about how they are going to proceed. They’ve opened up negotations with Russell, Quinn and Calvin Johnson, but sources have told ESPN that the team has already notified Russell that he’ll be the #1 pick.
JP: Anthony, with so many holes to fill, it seems like the Raiders should either take the best player available (most people seem to agree that’s Johnson) or trade down to acquire some picks. If they go with Russell, do you think that it’s the right move?
AS: I’m someone who believes Oakland has to take Russell with their current quarterback situation. Trent Edwards or John Beck in the second is a novel idea, but what do you do with Randy Moss and Jerry Porter? Calvin Johnson is a superior athlete, but Russell is a talented prospect and fills a bigger immediate need. I like the move, but I’ll never criticize a team for talking a talent such as Johnson.
