The Oakland Raiders haven't had much luck in the first round of the draft the past five years.  Oakland's last five first round picks haven't exactly panned out according to plan yet.  While it may be too early to call either Darren McFadden, JaMarcus Russell, Michael Huff, Fabian Washington, and Robert Gallery a "bust", but it would be relatively safe to say that the silver and black haven't gotten the immediate impact they were expecting from those five former "can't miss" prospects.

It may be a bit premature to pass judgment on McFadden and Russell, both are young players that have shown some improvement and potential for growth. 

Washington had his ups and downs with the club before eventually being traded to the Ravens for a fourth round draft pick; not exactly a good return on your investment. 

Huff has failed to take either the strong safety or free safety starting job away from such starlets as Hiram Eugene and Tyvon Branch. 

Gallery, on the other hand, has started ever since his rookie year, but has struggled to find a home as the team has moved him all over the offensive line to try and find a place where he can succeed as a starter in the NFL.

So whether it's been bad luck drafting overrated players, or it's been a lack of player development by the Raiders organization, Oakland is in desperate need of a quality draft pick that can help this franchise start winning games again.

These are the Raiders top three needs:

1.  Wide Receiver.  In 2008 Johnnie Lee Higgins led all Oakland wide receivers with a whopping 22 catches on the year.  That's right, Higgins averaged just under 1.5 catches a game and still led all Oakland wide receivers in catches on the year.  That, my friends, is pathetic.  Obviously, the Raiders need some real help at receiver not only to be a more balance offense, but also to aid in the development of QB JaMarcus Russell.

Javon Walker will be back this year, but has been plagued with serious injuries that caused him to miss almost the entire 2005 and the 2008 seasons.  No one truly knows what to expect when Walker comes back and if he'll be a viable threat in the passing game in 2009.

Most people have Texas Tech wide out Michael Crabtree rated just above Missouri receiver Jeremy Maclin, but that doesn't mean Raiders owner Al Davis does.  Davis loves to draft flash and style, and Maclin, while he may not be as polished a receiver as Crabtree, definitely has all the things that Davis loves in a football player.  Maclin can really run and makes the unbelievable play.  He's also a threat in the return game and has the potential to break away from a defender and score on any play, something that has to be very intriguing to Davis as he looks at his inept 2008 offense.

Either Maclin or Crabtree would certainly bring a lot of help to the Raiders and I don't think Oakland could lose by taking either of them.  In the end, I think Davis decides to go with the more flashy and slightly less polished Maclin over Crabtree, but then again I really wouldn't be surprised either way.

2.  Offensive Tackle.  Talent is much needed along the Raiders offensive line.  Oakland's been looking for an answer at tackle since they decided to draft Robert Gallery in the first round in 2003.  Gallery isn't working out as hoped, and the team would love to take a shot at one of the many talented left tackles available in this draft.

The top contenders to be taken at this spot would be Baylor's Jason Smith, Virginia's Eugene Monroe, and Alabama's Andre Smith.  Jason Smith is likely to be off the board at this point and I think it would be a mistake for Oakland to take recently troubled Andre Smith to join what many think is a chaotic and dysfunctional locker room.  Eugene Monroe would be a great choice at the number seven spot if Oakland does decide to draft an offensive tackle.

3.  Defensive Tackle.  The Raiders could really use a big run-stuffing tackle that can take up a couple gaps in the middle of that defensive front seven.  Oakland ranked 31st in run defense last year and need to add some size up front to that defense that gave up ground too easily to opponents all year long.

Boston College defensive tackle B.J. Raji could still be available at number seven and could step in immediately and begin to help shore up that shaky rush defense.