So, inevitably, we’ll have to listen to plenty of discussion on who got the better end of the deal.

Naturally, that argument is all Oakland for the moment. Palmer might not ever be worth what he was traded for but as of now he’s actually helped Oakland win a game or two and is a proven commodity. Kirkpatrick comes with plenty of promise and some concerns as well but the proof is on the field in pads, not on a stage in New York when guys wear ball caps and suits.

For those that want to play the What-if game keep in mind if Jackson didn’t push that panic button then chances are the Raiders would have been picking a little higher than 17^th. But for argument’s sake we’ll entertain the Raiders drafting in the slot they gifted to the Bengals.

During the NFL Combine the Raiders did interview Kirkpatrick who plays a position of need for Oakland. It stands to reason that Reggie McKenzie might have gone the same way had he still owned Oakland’s original pick. Supposedly McKenzie also valued another Alabama defender in pass rusher Courtney Upshaw. Perhaps that is the man Oakland would have gone with though he’s still available as the second day of the draft starts.

This entire process is just one big guessing game with no right answers. But that won’t stop the talk.

Just wait until you go through your daily routine on a Sunday morning in November. There will be the obligatory split screen images of Carson Palmer warming up and Kirkpatrick stretching while the broadcast team rambles on about the trade. That will be just one of many plotlines discussed when Palmer returns to his former home.

And the best part of all is that we get to do this all over again next year when the Bengals use their second round pick they got from Oakland. Get ready to hear all of this rehashed next time with a little more clarity on the Palmer-Kirkpatrick comparison.

John David Mercer-US PRESSWIRE

Even without a first round pick or even the prospects of acquiring a first round pick the Oakland Raiders interviewed a probable first round pick at the NFL scouting combine. At least that’s what troubled but talented University of Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick is claiming. In fact the Raiders aren’t even the only AFC West team showing some interest in kicking the tires on Kirkpatrick as he also states the San Diego Chargers were among the five teams that sat down with him.

It goes without saying that the position of cornerback is of high priority for the Oakland Raiders. Reggie McKenzie’s abrupt release of Stanford Routt has left Oakland without a top corner. Of course one could argue they didn’t even have one with Routt on the team. But that’s another topic.

That the Raiders would want to listen to what Kirkpatrick has to say indicates they may have some designs on trying to move into the first round or they’re betting on his draft stock to continue to slide.

Among the top DB prospects in the draft, Kirkpatrick has seen his character issues come to forefront of any and every concentration surrounding his NFL future. Only days after declaring for the draft Kirkpatrick was arrested. The charges dropped later but the incident raised some red flags. Beyond legal issues, his attitude has been questioned as well.

Something no pro scout questions is his talent. Kirkpatrick is blessed with amazing athleticism, great size for an NFL corner and has plenty of potential. In some early mock drafts he was being pegged as the second corner to come off the board after rival LSU corner Morris Claiborne.

As the defensive backs have yet to perform at the combine there is a chance Kirkpatrick’s stock could rise once again making it nearly impossible for the Raiders to move into position where he might be within their reach. With no picks of value to trade the Raiders would have to offer an elite player like a Darren McFadden and future picks in order to get into the first round you’d imagine.