still thin along D-line, despite heavy spending

With a doubt, it's been a busy offseason for the Oakland Raiders. With big-named acquisitions such as cornerback DeAngelo Hall and wide receiver Javon Walker, one can't help but think the Raiders -- at least on paper -- will 10 Santonio Holmes black jersey
be a better team next year.That doesn't mean, however, they've gotten better in every single aspect of the game. In fact, what seemingly needed the most help this offseason, the defensive line, has received the smallest amount of it.To this point, Oakland has retained one lineman, lost two and signed another.Defensive tackle Tommy Kelly inked a record-setting seven-year, $50.5 million deal in late February, meaning the former undrafted free agent will return for his fifth season with the Raiders. In the process, however, they also lost veteran DT Warren Sapp to retirement and 2007 sack leader Chris Clemons to free agency (Philadelphia Eagles).To this point, the sole new face to the front four next season will be defensive tackle William Joseph, who signed a one-year, $645,000 contract with the Raiders earlier this month. A former first-round pick of the New York Giants in 2003, Joseph missed all of last season with a back injury, and has never registered more than 25 tackles in a single season.Currently, then, Oakland's projected starting lineup along the defensive line would be: Derrick Burgess (LDE), Terdell Sands (LDT), Tommy Kelly (RDT) and Jay Richardson (RDE). Backup tackle Gerard Warren could also steal starting time from Sands, and also has the capability to push Kelly outside to defensive end on certain downs.Sans Warren Sapp, the '08 lineup is no different than what the Raiders fielded in '07, when Oakland's 'D' ranked 31st against the run (145.9 yards against per game) and gave up a league-worst 4.8 yards per carry and 24 rushing touchdowns.That means the Raiders may need to look to the NFL draft next month to find an instant-impact D-lineman to help shore up the problem. That would preferably be someone selected within the first three rounds, which means, for Oakland, their first two picks.That's easier said than done based on recent history, however.Over the past eight years, the Raiders have taken just three defensive linemen in the first three rounds of the draft. None of the three -- Quentin Moses (2007), Tyler Brayton (2003) and DeLawrence Grant (2001) -- are currently on Oakland's roster, and none are defensive tackles. The last time the Raiders took a DT prior to the third round of an NFL draft was a decade ago, when the team chose Leon Bender, a 300-pounder from Washington State, with the first pick in the second round. Bender had been treated for epilepsy at the age of 22 and was found dead in a bathroom just one month after being drafted.In just the past five years, however, Oakland has spent eight draft picks on defensive backs. Still, this offseason, they dished out over $66 million to bring in former Atlanta Falcons CB DeAngelo Hall. 4 Brett Favre Purple jersey
Simply for well-roundedness, the Raiders should consider grabbing a D-lineman early when draft time rolls around, even if it means using the fourth overall pick.Or, if Arkansas running back Darren McFadden is available, they can add a fourth running back to their committee.