By Paul Wexler
RaiderBeat.com Staff Writer

The Raiders most-pressing needs are at wide receiver, defensive end, safety, strong-side linebacker, defensive tackle and offensive line.
Among those, receiver is the most-glaring need. The Raiders won’t enter the 2009 season with only four receivers on their 53-man roster.
Projected No. 1 receiver Javon Walker has a questionable mental and physical state. Chaz Schilens is fresh from a rookie campaign in which he caught 15 passes. Johhnie Lee Higgins is best suited as a slot receiver and kick-returner. Arman Shields has yet to see the field.
So, it’s logical to assume the Raiders will select a receiver with a pick in the first or second round Saturday, unless Virginia offensive tackle Eugene Monroe falls out of the top six picks and California center Alex Mack lasts until the Raiders pick in the second. At that point, you just smile and hope this is the year the Raiders dreamed of in 2004.
Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree deserves consideration at Oakland’s first-round pick at No.7, even though he has raised red flags with his injury and his mouth.
Crabtree’s lack of speed may be a deal-breaker when it comes time for managing general partner Al Davis to make a decision.
Missouri receiver Jeremy Maclin is regarded by most draft experts as the second-best receiver prospect. He has the explosive speed Davis craves but is considered soft and more of a return man that needs to develop into an NFL receiver.
Rumors about Maryland receiver Darrius Hayward-Bey and Florida receiver Percy Harvin need to be viewed as just that for now. Both qualify as reaches at No. 7 but ideal selections at No. 40.
Oakland has some talented defensive ends in Derrick Burgess, Jay Richardson and Trevor Scott. Just the same, it lacks depth and a consistent pass-rush thjreat from the right side.
Scott finished strong last season, but he needs to improve against the run before he can be counted upon as a full-time player.
The Raiders have the option of moving Tommy Kelly back to defensive end if they select Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji. In turn, that would lessen the need to draft a defensive end.
Cincinnati defensive end Connor Barwin and Georgia Tech end Michael Johnson fit the Raiders defensive scheme and likely will be available beyond the first round.
Texas’ Brian Orakpo is the logical target if the Raiders go for a defensive end at No. 7. He has the reputation as a workout warrior and comes with questions about his durability.
Safety is a huge need, yet this year’s draft isn’t deep at that position. Tyvon Branch, Darrick Brown, Hiram Eugene and Michael Huff are the only safeties on Oakland’s roster.
It’s possible that the Raiders might wait until after the draft before addressing their safety situation.
The consensus is that there aren’t any safeties worth taking at No.7 or anywhere in the first round, for that matter. Therefore, don’t expect the Raiders to consider a safety until the third round or later.
Texas Tech’s Darcel McBath, South Carolina’s Emanuel Cook and Wake Forest’s Chip Vaughn are names to watch on the second day of the draft.
Wake Forest’s  Aaron Curry is the top dog when it comes to linebackers. He would be the strong-side linebacker they have been searching for if he falls to No. 7. Sam Williams, Jon Alston and Ricky Brown are holding down the fort until further notice.
The Raiders have spent a ton of money on defensive tackle in recent years, without a suitable return on their investment.
Raji is the top-rated run-stuffer in this year’s draft. He likely will be around at No. 7 and considered as the best option.
Oakland’s offseason has been about bolstering the offensive line as much as anything. There are 11 such players on the roster.
The addition of projected starters Khalif Barnes and Samson Satele, as well as the added depth provided by Marcus Johnson and Erik Pears, already counts as an upgrade over last season’s line.
Even so, the Raiders have met with and worked out several offensive line prospects, including Oklahoma’s mammoth Phil Loadholt and South Carolina’s Jamon Meredith.
However, if one of the top-rated offensive tackles – Baylor’s Jason Smith and Monroe — drops to No. 7, the Raiders will be tempted to add another lineman.
Also, if Mack still is around in the second round, the Raiders might push aside commissioner Roger Goodell so that they can make the announcement at the podium in New York.
Otherwise, adding more offensive linemen is a luxury only because of how few picks the Raiders have right now. That could change in an instant, in which case upgrading the offensive line moves right back to the forefront.

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