We all know the importance of having impact players, but a high pick doesent nessesaraly mean a player will become a stud at that position. The Raiders have many needs to fill and not a lot of free agent spending money. Some of the most successful teams(New England,Pittsberg,Giants) built there teams without the benifit of drafting in the early rounds.
Judging by last years draft, there's good value for teams willing to trade down( Baltimore traded their first-round selection (8th overall) to Jacksonville for Jacksonville's first-round selection, two third-round selections, and fourth-round selection (26th, 71st, 89th, and 125th).

Last years draft set the record for most trades in any draft.
This could be a better way to address the teams needs.

Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee is reporting the team is likely to cut S Michael Huff

This would be disasterous, Huff has struggled in coverage and tackeling, but has too much potential to be cut. I think Rob Ryan may have affected his development by putting him in his doghouse. This is a big reason we need to sign Nnamdi to a long term deal.
We need a "Captian" in the secondary to mentor some players, and communicate with the Coach/front office.

We need team leaders in all playing positions
I personally think high priced FA can disrupt this concept.

He says he did it to reach a higher level. I don't buy it

although the team had a general manager, the Rat had full control personel, gameplans, draft and free agent acusitions.

No, I think Bowlin knew the teams talent level had dropped to a point that it is time to rebuild. But mostly, HE DIDN"T WANT THE RAT TO GET KICKED AROUND BY THE RAIDERS FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS OR LONGER!

He fired the Rat to save his (Shanahan's) legacy.

 I personally think we KICKED HIM out the door.

But I will still love beating the crap out of the Donkey's (especally in Denver)!

Bolts and Chiefs too..