Rolando McClain to the Raiders

Rolando McClain is now a member of the Oakland Raiders after being selected 8th overall (1^st Round) in the 2010 NFL Draft.

The Raiders selected McClain to upgrade their defense after many experts thought they would address the offensive line with their first selection.  McClain was an unlikely selection after the Raiders had missed on workout warriors JaMarcus Russell, Darren McFadden and Darrius Heyward-Bey in recent drafts.  McClain might be the safest player in the entire draft.

McClain inherited the starting middle linebacker position as a rookie when the Raiders traded Kirk Morrison to the Jacksonville Jaguars for a 4^th round selection on day three of the draft.

What McClain lacks in top-end speed, he makes up for it in intangibles on the football field with his leadership and instincts.  McClain asked for his playbook immediately after he got the call from the Raiders so he could begin preparations for team mini-camps.

Rolando McClain has the talent and opportunity to turn in a top-15 season IDP season as a rookie linebacker.  He should have no problem replacing Kirk Morrison from day one and his fellow starting linebackers are more effective as pass rushers (Kamerion Wimbley and Trevor Scott).

McClain deserves consideration in the mid to late first round of your rookie draft and could be a safer selection than some of the skill position players available at that point.