The verdict is still out on whether or not the Oakland Raiders will have a first round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. They traded that to the New England Patriots as part of a trade to get defensive lineman Richard Seymour. When the seventeenth pick came along, there was still a huge talent pool available, with players like Cameron Jordan, Prince Amukamara, Anthony Castonzo, Da'Quan Bowers and more still on the board. All of those guys and more could have been a huge help to the Raiders.
Instead, the Patriots ended up going with Nate Solder, the offensive tackle from Colorado. That's a good pick for them, and not only that, it's a pick that could have helped the Raiders. Solder would have fit in on Oakland's line the same way at least five to ten different players also available would have fit wearing the Silver And Black.
This isn't doomsaying or anything of that nature - the Raiders still have Seymour, he's a great, high-motor player who still have a lot left in the tank. Still, one has to feel the Raiders are itching to move up.