A bang and a whimper

The goal of every down-and-out team is to become less relevant on draft day. The Raiders have done that, but not necessarily in the manner they had wished.

Rather than improving its record dramatically — Oakland was 4-12 in 2008 — the team compromised its draft prospects by dealing second- and third-round picks. Not that they’re remorseful about it. Getting talented cornerback DeAngelo Hall for a second rounder may prove to be genius. (Abandoning this year’s third-rounder for the privilege of getting offensive tackle Mario Henderson a year ago is another matter, but so it goes.) Still, it could be a weird weekend for the Silver & Black.

The Raiders own the fourth selection in the draft, a spot that should allow them to land a potential Pro Bowl player. After that — well, let’s hope the Oakland scouts have a new Wii to pass the time. The Raiders will listen to 99 names called before their next pick in Round 4.

Unless ...

Could this be the year the Raiders swing a big draft-day deal? There hasn’t been much overt talk, but it makes a lot of sense. Arkansas’ Darren McFadden is the consensus premier athlete on the board. However, the teams at the top don’t really need a running back. Most mock drafts have the Raiders grabbing McFadden at No. 4. Some have him sliding to the Jets at No. 6.

If that begins to play out, an upward trade will be a great temptation. It’s easy to imagine the Cowboys (who have two first-rounders, at Nos. 22 and 28 overall), the Bears (at No. 14) or the Seahawks (No. 25) putting together a package that the talent-hungry Raiders can’t refuse.

So tune in about 12:40 p.m. Saturday in anticipation of a big pick.

But don’t be surprised if your gratification is ultimately delayed.

You can reach Staff Writer Phil Barber at 521-5263 or phil. barber@pressdemocrat.com.