There are also protection issues to be addressed, and the Raiders could conceivably pass on an explosive wideout such as Crabtree or Jeremy Maclin to land one of the two top tackles likely remaining at No. 7 overall -- Alabama's Andre Smith and Mississippi's Michael Oher.

Crabtree could indeed be gone by the time the Raiders pick. If not, he brings a downfield presence and jump-and-catch ability which would mesh nicely with the two young starters who ended the season as starters, Johnnie Lee Higgins and Chaz Schilens.

The Raiders historically are not a team that moves down, although coach Tom Cable did not rule it out. If Crabtree is not their focus, and Smith is off the board, moving back could bring additional picks (they have just five) as well as a player they wouldn't want to pay the kind of money it takes to sign the seventh overall pick.

Having already added to their offense this offseason with the signing of tackles Khalif Barnes and Erik Pears, plus the addition of backup quarterback Jeff Garcia, Oakland must take dead aim on fixing the NFL's softest run defense. They ranked 31st last season, a year after giving up 100 yards or more to 10 different runners in 2007.

Oakland needs to be stronger up the middle. Brace wasn't the most publicized of the two Boston College tackles (that designation goes to B.J. Raji, a likely top-10 pick) but is equally big and would fit nicely in rotation with Tommy Kelly and Gerard Warren, not to mention the push he could give underachieving Terdell Sands.

Oakland continues to have trouble developing its own safeties. Michael Huff, the No. 7 overall pick in 2005, is precariously close to bust status and ended the season on the bench. Gibril Wilson, given a big free agent contract last offseason, was released.

That leaves fourth-round draft pick Tyvon Branch, who spent most of last season injured, and Hiram Eugene, who ended the season as the starter and was retained as an unrestricted free agent.

The Raiders have already been linked with Vaughn, an aggressive 219-pounder who would become an immediate force on special teams and become another physical presence to be developed along with Branch.

TEAM NEEDS: Safety, wide receiver, offensive tackle, defensive line.

S -- With Hiram Eugene and Tyvon Branch the projected starters and Michael Huff bounced from the starting lineup, the Raiders continue their search for an in-the-box presence who'd help the NFL's 31st-ranked run defense. No safety is worth of their top pick, but the Raiders have to find something either in the draft or by signing a veteran such as Roy Williams, who was cut by Dallas.

WR -- As promising as Johnnie Lee Higgins and Chaz Schilens were at the close of the season, Higgins is a smallish receiver/return specialist and Schilens a seventh-round draft pick. Javon Walker was brought back at a greatly reduced salary, but is no lock to make the team.

OT -- Khalif Barnes and Erik Pears arrived via free agency, but both are on one-year contracts and aren't necessarily the final answer as the Raiders look to protect Russell. If they don't take Andre Smith or Michael Oher at No. 7, a second-tier tackle would suffice.

DL -- Whether it's at tackle or end, the Raiders need a stout presence to hold the point and help the run defense. At end, Derrick Burgess and Trevor Scott are smallish rush ends in the 250- to 260-pound range. At tackle, Tommy Kelly was disappointing come off a knee injury and Terdell Sands has been an underachiever.