By Paul Wexler
RaiderBeat.com Staff Writer

Many so-called draft experts are projecting the Oakland Raiders to draft Maryland offensive tackle Bruce Campbell with the eight overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Campbell did nothing in his college career to warrant being drafted within the first few rounds of the draft that begins April 22. He basically was a one-year starter who endured injury problems. He started only 17 games in his entire Maryland career.

But Bruce Campbell is a workout warrior, an athletic, 6-foot-7 and 314 pounder who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.75 seconds and has a 32-inch vertical leap.

Raiders managing general partner Al Davis long has coveted speed and size, but he has been burned by both in recent drafts. On film, Campbell grades out to the second round of the draft. Taking Campbell any higher than that would be based purely on his unrealized potential.
Campbell has elite measurables but still is a project. He isn’t ready to be a starting left tackle in the NFL today. He has to improve on his footwork and technique and there are questions about his toughness and intelligence.
Should the Raiders pass on Campbell, they should have several other much more polished players to choose from among offensive tackles at No. 8.

Depending upon how the draft plays out, Oklahoma State’s Russell Okung , Iowa’s Bryan Bulaga or Oklahoma’s Trent Williams could be available at No. 8. All three players have had more distinguished college careers and are expected to excel at the next level, whereas Campbell is a gamble.