The Oakland Raiders are heading into the 2013 season with some hopes and expectations after drafting a number of talented players and as they send their picks to the rookie symposium in Cleveland, general manager Regiie McKenzie still needs to sign picks Tyler Wilson, D.J. Hayden and Menelik Watson to deals.
According to ESPN.com, the team has yet to sign Tyler Wilson, D.J. Hayden and Menelik Watson to contracts and while some could take through the summer, the Raiders have some flexibility in the cap to do it. The team has nearly $8 million in camp room to sign the players and while Wilson's might be tough since he is a quarterback, Hayden is expected to get the biggest deal as the first round pick.
All three players along with the rest of the 254 draft picks will be in Cleveland from June 23-26 (for AFC players) and June 26-29 (for the NFC) as they get integrated into the NFL at the yearly symposium. All 10 picks are expected to go, including Brice Butler, Latavius Murray and Nick Kasa among others. McKenzie and head coach Dennis Allen have high expectations for the draft class, as they could form a foundation on the team for a number of years.
The Raiders added a number of veterans to the roster this past offseason and along with the rookies there is much more talent than in 2012. McKenzie brought back team legend Charles Woodson as well as players like Kevin Burnett, Nick Roach, Tracy Porter and Mike Jenkins and now there is a solid mix of experience and young stars that should improve the 4-12 record from last season.
Matt Flynn was acquired by the team from the Seattle Seahawks to play quarterback and while many expect Wilson to challenge, it is likely that Flynn will win the job. Hayden is expected to start right away, as is Watson, while Butler and Kasa should be able to produce in their first season given the right chances. The symposium gives rookies a chance to hear from NFL veterans about issues in the league and the Raiders understand why players need it, as they drafted Rolando McClain and he flamed out of the NFL due to criminal issues.
"We are not here to be dream killers," Vincent said. "We have to be realistic, though, and you are now on the clock. So, of the drafted rookies, less than half will still be around three years from now. That doesn't mean life stops; it better not. While we are introducing them to the NFL, we're also talking about life after football. There are life lessons that need to be learned right from the beginning."
