Raiders have No.1 NFL pick - but will it be JaMarcus Russell or Brady Quinn?

Every year at the end of March and throughout April the question among American Football fans is 'Who will go number one in the draft?'

Only 31 days to go until the NFL draft and, much like last season, we have a consensus No.1 pick that would make perfect sense for the team making the selection -- the Oakland Raiders. Much like last year, Reggie Bush was a lock to be the Houston Texans’ No.1 pick.

This year, sensational quarterback JaMarcus Russell is all but guaranteed to go to the Raiders. The one glitch: Bush did not end up with the Texans, who instead opted infamously to anoint Mario Williams their first selection. Well, the Raiders are trying to play a game of cloak and dagger on just how undecided they are on who their top selection is going to be.

It is a routine that has been played by many clubs, but after last year’s much-publicised 'Texans blunder', this thing is a moot point, as we all know the Raiders do not want to become the team that made The Mistake a second time.

And it is too bad, really, since three of the prospects (including Russell) are all worthy of a first pick. Whilst last season you had Bush, and maybe quarter-back Vince Young as worthy toppicks (and no, Mario Williams, whilst highly touted, was never even considered that), each of this year’s trio is making a strong case for his worthiness of the first pick.

First off you have Russell, the super-phenom quarterback. The guy with the never-before-seen arm strength, with the athleticism of a running back, and with the throw accuracy that makes scouts drool. Russell has NFL quarterback written all over him. Even if he only fulfills some of the promise that he is showing, he should have quite a productive career in the league. His potential is unlimited compared to any other prospect at this point.

You then have Brady Quinn. He is the well-schooled quarterback. He knows almost every trick of the trade (that’s what working with Notre Dame coach Charlie Weiss will get you), he is a true leader, and he has all the physical tools necessary to make the play that counts. Quinn has been called by many scouts as the most intelligent QB they have met, but whether this relates into victories in the league, we shall see.

Then there’s wide receiver Calvin Johnson. The guy whom many scouts believe to be the true No.1 pick, only neither the Raiders nor the Lions would like a wideout with such a high pick. His overall combination of size, speed, athleticism and overall ability has rarely been seen on the pro level. All scouts agree that he is hands down the best player in the draft.

So why is he a third-fourth projected pick on most mock drafts? The answer is easy; neither the Raiders nor the Lions are in need of another receiver, and neither one is sold that Johnson will become a huge game-changing performer. Barring a trade, Johnson will likely be 'only' a third or fourth pick.

After the trio there’s a slew of defensive players and linemen who hope to get into the argument. Yet with each of them comes a 'buyers beware' warning. Defensive end Gaines Adams and defensive tackle Amobi Okoye and cornerback Leon Hall might be picked anywhere amongst the top 10 considering what the picking team’s most urgent need might be. Yet with each there is a sizeable question which does not allow them to be considered for the top three.

Okoye is a reach for a pick this high, but his upside might tempt a team to pick him up here. Adams is a great defender but the main knock on him is the abundance of top DE picks that turned into busts. Many scouts believe Hall has Pro Bowl written all over him; the only problem is he will not be an instant impact for the team picking him.

Offensive tackle Joe Thomas might, however, sneak into the Top 3 and force one of the Russell-Quinn-Johnson trio to fall. Thomas is a great lineman who could instantly help a team’s ground game. Cleveland is picking third and they might believe they have the marquee pieces in places with Kellen Winslow, Charlie Frye and Braylon Edwards, as well as free agent pick-up Jamal Lewis.

For them the top trio means work-in-progress, whilst Thomas would mean instant impact. Watch this third pick carefully, since if the Browns get to select Quinn or Russell, it might be a clear message towards coach Romeo Crennel that he gets no pressure to win now, whereas a selection of Thomas would certainly mean that he either shows results, or the Browns will have a new head coach at this time next year.

It will be interesting to see both who the highest-picked running back will be, and where he is to be picked. Most mock drafts have Adrian Peterson going well ahead of Marshawn Lynch. Yet the same experts who compose these mocks agree that Lynch is probably better suited for the pro game, so go figure. All I know is that both possess physical gifts that will allow them to be productive in the NFL, and everyone would love to have these two. The question is, how badly do they want them? As the old saying goes, you cannot have too many backs in Football.

Keep an eye out for Dwayne Jarrett as well. This wide receiver should be picked somewhere in the late teens-early 20s. He is a special breed of receiver, who seems to be a great short-pass option. I know that the Giants (sitting with the 20th pick) would love to have him as an insurance policy, in case Amani Toomer’s rehab from injury does not go as well as expected.

I know those in the know are already screaming that I haven’t said a word about LaRon Landry, who is most probably the best prospect at the safety position for quite some time. Well, the only reason I have omitted him so far is that word is he will be picked by the Falcons if he lasts until the eighth pick. I don’t see him in the top five, which means he goes sixth, seventh or eighth. And of the Redskins-Vikings-Falcons trio, I definitely think Atlanta needs him the most.

There is also a great battle going on for the title of first tight end picked. Greg Olsen seems to have the upper hand after a very impressive combine performance. Much like the other prospect in hunt of this title, Zach Miller, Olsen is a receiving TE with great route running ability. Neither one figures to be anywhere near the top ten selections. Olsen is the bigger question, as he has been listed in mock drafts to be as high as a number 15 pick and as low as an early second-rounder. Miller at this point is mostly mentioned in second-round talk.