Pro Football Weekly and Riddell present ...
2002 NFL draft
Youth movement
Raiders bolster defense early, will turn attention to offense
By Nolan Nawrocki, Associate editor of special projects
April 20, 2002
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| As anticipated, after the Raiders selected Miami (Fla.) CB Phillip
Buchanon at No. 17, Oakland next chose Northwestern LB Napoleon Harris, a player the team
has long been enamored with. Like Buchanon, Harris will have excellent mentors in
offseason acquisitions Bill Romanowski and Gerald Dixon. Romanowski, the former Broncos
linebacker, is a workaholic and a tough guy but is nearing the end of his career at age
36. Dixon started at linebacker for the Chargers last year, but he is also on the wrong
side of 30. Both veterans know the game well and will provide leadership, as will ILB Greg
Biekert. Biekert is also past his prime and was never very fast.
Harris will give the Raiders much-needed speed at the position. He is a workout warrior
who looked like a man among boys after the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. A former
college basketball player who boasts of posting up Michigan C Robert "Tractor"
Traylor, Harris has the speed and athleticism to become a staple in the Raiders’
defense. He is a playmaker who can make the big hit and change the outcomes of games.
Next up for the Raiders is a defensive lineman who could spell relief and develop
alongside DE Trace Armstrong (36) and DT John Parrella (32), but the Raiders may wait
until later in the draft to pick up another defender.
The Raiders have two aging quarterbacks in Rich Gannon (36) and Rick Mirer (32); four
aging running backs in Charlie Garner (30), Randy Jordan (31), Terry Kirby (32) and Tyrone
Wheatley (30); and three aging receivers in Jerry Rice (39), Tim Brown (35) and James Jett
(31).
The team does not have any pressing concerns on offense, but they will continue
infusing youth. Expect them to draft a young quarterback, running back and receiver next,
with a receiver being the biggest priority. |
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