Now that Reggie McKenzie is in charge, expect the Oakland Raiders to operate by a new set of rules. For years, the NFL Draft has been a lot more entertaining knowing that Al Davis could, at any time, take a selection that makes everyone shake their heads or else pull off a deal that no one saw coming. Terrelle Pryor? Sure. Trade for Carson Palmer? Sounds great. Now those days are no more as the new Raiders general manager said he’s finished there.
“Coach Davis, this has been his deal since the Raiders were the Raiders,” McKenzie told reporters Wednesday at a predraft news conference. “I am the new guy. This is my first time drafting after a legend has been drafting for the Raiders for so long. So it’s huge. But I’m excited about it and looking forward to it.”
After giving praise to the team’s iconic owner, Mckenzie went on to say that he would only trade up in this year’s draft if it didn’t cost him his “first born.” In short, he knows just how valuable those picks can be coming over from the Green Bay Packers.
“I do not want to trade future picks — especially high ones,” McKenzie said.
It will be interesting to see how well the change in philosophy translates to the field, but one thing is certain: the draft will be a little less interesting without him.