Raiders facing draft-day decisions

For those curious what the Oakland Raiders will do with the fourth overall pick of the NFL draft, check out the guest sign-in sheet at team headquarters in Alameda.

The who's-who list has included Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, Virginia defensive end Chris Long, Ohio State defensive end Vernon Gholston and Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long. LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey is due to visit in the coming days.

The Raiders' first-round pick almost certainly will come from that bunch, with most draft analysts siding with McFadden (a big want) or Gholston (a huge need).

But, then what will the Raiders do? They don't have another draft pick until the fourth round. To get those answers, look again at the docket of visitors.

Michigan wide receiver Mario Manningham was scheduled to visit the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday. He's anything but top-four material, but rather is projected to go in the second or third round.

Seeing the Raiders don't have a pick in those rounds, Manningham's visit could be a clue they intend to secure additional picks with a draft-day trade.

Options include packaging young players in overcrowded positions, like cornerbacks Fabian Washington and Stanford Routt. They were taken in the first and second rounds, respectively, of the 2005 draft.

Quarterback Andrew Walter is often mentioned, but he's the only experienced backup to JaMarcus Russell. The name of strong safety Michael Huff, the seventh overall pick in 2006, has also been floated.

The Raiders could trade away picks from future drafts, which would be more attractive to other teams. With the franchise on a 19-61 freefall since 2003, their place in the draft order promises to be prime.

Then again, it could be they hope Manningham slip-slides all the way to their next selection at No. 104 overall, though it would be a stretch.

Manningham is the player who lied to league officials at the NFL combine about his drug history. He then posted a slow 4.68-second time in the 40. Last week, he sent an apology letter to all 32 teams about not being "straightforward" and admitted he flunked two drug tests in college.

If nothing else, Manningham is a playmaking receiver, and the Raiders still need some to go with Ronald Curry, Javon Walker and Drew Carter.

The McFadden chronicles: McFadden enjoyed his visit to Raiderland so much last week, he devoted an entire blog entry to the experience Wednesday.

Writing in his personal blog, McFadden praised running backs coach Tom Rathman, who took him to dinner, breakfast and the film room.

"He is a coach I would love to play for," McFadden wrote. "He is the type of coach who can take me to the next level ... I think we'd be a great combination."

Then, as all Oakland visitors inevitably do, McFadden shared his Al Davis experience.

"I was really excited about that. He had a lot of energy and he knows so much about the game and all the players in the draft. We spent about 10 minutes together and I enjoyed it very much."

Asomugha still unsigned: Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha has not signed his exclusive franchise tender, a league source confirmed. The Raiders aren't in a rush to sign him because they still want to get a long-term deal done by the July 15 deadline.

His one-year tender is worth at least $9.465 million. While Asomugha cannot negotiate with other teams because of the exclusive tag, he also cannot work out with the Raiders because he is not under contract.

Asomugha has spent most of the offseason training in Los Angeles. The first minicamp is tentatively scheduled for May 9-11.

Gunner to return: Special teams veteran Jarrod Cooper re-signed with the Raiders on Wednesday, a source close to Cooper confirmed.

An eighth-year "gunner" and reserve safety, Cooper has been a Raiders special teams standout since 2004. He missed the final five games last season after tearing right knee ligaments and undergoing surgery.

Cooper was instrumental in the Raiders' much-improved punt and kick coverage last season. His season's highlight came against Chicago in holding Bears return star Devin Hester to 14 yards on six punt returns and 34 yards on two kick returns.

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