This one is already being called a stretch of “mind boggling” proportions (Mel Kiper’s words). Not even Al’s selection of Darrius Heyward-Bey was this much of a reach…now Mike Mitchell on the other hand…that’s another story…

Irvin is also the type of prospect Davis would have valued. He’s got blazing speed and for good measure has a questionable background. To add to the irony this pick comes courtesy of Pete Carroll who was famously the former coach of Al’s second football love – the University of Southern California.

Of course this is the NFL Draft. In all honesty every single pick is a reach of some kind. Everyone loves to act as if they know what will become of any and every player drafted but we know nothing until the ball is kicked on Sundays in the fall.

All this really means is one player many of us saw as a potential Raider won’t be…at least not yet. This is the NFL and you never know which path a player’s career will take. If this Irvin pick does goes bust chances are Oakland might come calling. It happened before…right Aaron Curry?

Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

For the second year running the Oakland Raiders are stuck standing outside in the rain while the NFL’s biggest offseason party is in full swing. No need for Reggie McKenzie to check with the door man, his name is not on that list. As it turns out the Raiders won’t be able to get past that velvet rope until all the cool kids have gone home with their new dates.

Such is the life of an NFL team that mortgaged its future on two veteran players, one unproven quarterback commodity and a once highly regarded linebacker trying to shed the bust label.

For their troubles the Raiders have ended their losing ways but haven’t yet returned to their victorious days either. Middle of the road, 8-8 for two straight years and we’re getting ready to build all over again.

When you look at it that way there would seem to be little reason to be invested in tonight’s primetime festivities. Funny thing about the NFL draft is that every pick truly matters. Now don’t get me wrong, clearly the over-before-it-started career of Maurice Clarett makes for a massive waste of a draft pick. But what one bad pick does is open up the opportunity for the next team to make a great selection.

Back in ’05 Denver took Clarett at the end of the third round which left Marion Barber III to the Dallas Cowboys at the start of the fourth. Neither player is going to Canton in fact both are already out of the game. But there is no question which team got the better back. Here’s a hint: Barber made it to a Pro Bowl while  Clarett didn’t even make the 53-man roster.

With each selection the draft shifts and changes. Think of it as one big game of Tetris where every move influences the next move and so on and so on.

So even though the Raiders are draft outsiders again, don’t think for a second that there isn’t plenty of intrigue in Oakland’s war room.

You never know when a couple of teams might get desperate and start reaching at one position. Next thing you know there’s a run on defensive ends which might not seem meaningful to the Raiders at #95 but will heavily affect their draft strategy.

I used the defensive end position as an example but there are already rumors of the 49ers going after West Virginia DE Bruce Irvin in round one, a man many had Oakland taking at the end of the third. Could be nothing at all, then again it could mean everything to McKenzie and company. Only way to find out is to watch as the drama unfolds.

Jerry Lai-US PRESSWIRE

Reggie McKenzie has recently stated that if he had the opportunity to use the Raider’s long lost 17th overall pick, he would’ve chosen Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw. This is no surprise as the Raider’s recently lost their top OLB, Kamerion Wimbley. It also makes sense since they will be dabbling with a 3-4 defensive scheme with Allen as the new head coach.

Although Courtney Upshaw would be a perfect fit for the Raider’s new scheme, the problem is we don’t have that pick at number 17 overall. Oakland’s first pick comes at 95th overall, the last pick that will air on your television sets on day 2. So what can we take from McKenzie being quoted on liking Upshaw at 17? He may want to select an OLB with pick number 95. Who can mirror the size, intelligence and tackling ability of the Alabama standout? Probably no one but there are some mid to late round picks that could fill the position for the Raiders. Here are a list of the few players the Raiders may have the opportunity to take at pick #95.

Bruce Irvin, OLB, West Virginia: This guy will most likely fit in playing as an OLB in a 3-4 scheme as opposed to playing as a DE. He posted a quick 40 yard dash of 4.5, about .2 seconds faster than McKenzie’s dream pick, Upshaw. He also has an inch on Upshaw but weighs about 25 pounds less (explaining the difference in speed). This guy is projected to go anywhere from late 2nd round to anywhere in the 3rd round so the chances that he falls in the arms of the Raiders is slim, but possible. I can’t imagine McKenzie and the Raiders passing on this prospect if he was to be there at the end of day 2. Smart and safe pick this late in the draft.

Sean Spence, OLB, Miami: Spence could be the next great linebacker to come out of the U, following in the footsteps of Ray Lewis, D.J. Williams and others. Sean Spence is a guy with very solid leadership qualities, physical ability and a great football IQ. Standing at just under 6’0 and weighing around 230 lbs., he is slightly undersized for an NFL OLB but he makes up for it with his play. Great decision maker, plays sideline to sideline and has a lot of pop on his tackle for his small size.

Bobby Wagner, OLB/ILB, Utah State: Wagner is a physical specimen who runs a 4.46 40 yard dash and had a 39 1/2 inch vertical leap. Very physically strong player with a lot of power behind his tackles but falls into the same size category as Spence at just 6’0 234 lbs. Undersized for an inside linebacker so he will most likely move to a permanent OLB at the next level. Wagner has a lot of developing to do with his football IQ but is a natural tackler and is great in pursuit. He might just be one of those draft gambles that can pay off or leave you burying your head at the craps table.

Overall, I think Irvin would be the best pick for the Raiders if he’s there at 95. Wagner and Spence would also be good pics but may not be ready to start right out of the gate. Reggie has been quoted saying that he will take the best player left on the board regardless of the position, leaving me to think that if Irvin is gone, McKenzie could go after a TE, CB, RB or a number of other positions. I can’t help but wonder if McKenzie is going to stick to his strategy or if his draft day excitement will have him picking by positional need.