"The first day of the NFL draft went off without the Raiders participating Thursday, at least in terms of making a selection. The Raiders worked the phones, fielded calls and pondered myriad options throughout the 3½-hour first round. In the end, they opted to stand pat and take their chances in the final six rounds of the three-day, seven-round process. "If we could have found a situation that best fit us (Thursday), we would have had another number one (pick)," Raiders coach Hue Jackson said. "It didn't work out that way, and that's OK. We were preparing for (rounds two through seven), and that's what we're getting ready for." The Raiders have seven picks over the next two days. They have one each in rounds two through six and two in the seventh round. Their first scheduled pick is for today in the middle of the second round, at No. 48 overall. Jackson said he is confident the players the Raiders envision picking Friday will be there without necessitating a trade up. There were several players the Raiders were interested in drafting Thursday, but the cost of trading up was prohibitive, Jackson said. "There are still a lot of good players on that board, a lot of guys that we evaluated and are sitting there for us," Jackson said. The Raiders' most glaring needs to address Friday and Saturday are offensive line, cornerback and quarterback. Four quarterbacks went within the first 12 picks Thursday. " Read more: http://www.insidebayarea.com/raiders/ci_17955486
