After Further Review: Great Scott! A defensive lineman!
The Raiders finally address a big need, in a small way
April 27, 2008
By Eric “Ace” Strauss, Raiderfans.net Staff Columnist
NEW YORK — After taking a defensive back and receiver in the fourth round, the Raiders had to sit through 44 picks before making the fourth of their five selections in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Once pick No. 169 rolled around, however, the Raiders finally went big, albeit in small-school fashion, choosing Buffalo defensive end Trevor Scott.
Scott, a former tight end, is an undersized project at 250 pounds who racked up 19 sacks in two years as well as making a mark on special teams, that perpetual Oakland weakness.
“Good motor, plays hard and gives good effort,” Pro Football Weekly says. “Good weight-room worker. Solid production.”
But, he has “no technique,” is “not physical … lacks bulk (and) … functional strength.”
Still, PFW gave him a grade that suggests he has “a better-than-average chance” to make a roster.
Ourlads’ Scouting Service touted his “outstanding straight-line speed” and “good first-step quickness,” saying he “plays hard and runs fast.”
In sum, a “developmental athlete that has some obvious tools.”
Scott played tight end in the “Texas vs. the Nation” all-star game and could vie for a spot behind Zach Miller and
John Madsen if he can’t stick in the defensive line rotation.
The Raiders did not have a fifth-round pick, having sent it to division rival Denver last season for nose tackle
Gerard Warren. The Broncos chose running back Ryan Torain of Arizona State 139th overall.
Oakland has one pick left, No. 226 in the seventh round.
Random aside: Someone here in New York really,
really likes late-’80s/early-’90s music, which is playing to fill in the gaps between player announcements. Not that I’m complaining — but I will check to make sure my iPod is still in my car when I leave, and not in some NFL official’s pocket.