Oakland Raiders: Could Washington be a Cowboy by the end of the draft?

Thoughts from the Dark Side

April 24, 2008

Oakland Raiders: Could Washington be a Cowboy by the end of the draft?

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Image details: Oakland Raiders Training Camp served by picapp.comFabian Washington could be on the move south on draft day.

As the pre-draft hysteria levels heighten before Saturday's opening to the NFL Draft, rumors, speculation, and deals become bigger. Evidence of this was yesterday's blockbuster trade between the Chiefs and the Vikings. Another player being speculated about is Cincinnati's Chad Johnson, otherwise known as Ocho Cinco for the number he wears on game day. Daily, the Cowboys and Adam 'PacMan' Jones are being reported as possible matches before next season, which brings me to another cornerback, who has recently had a little trouble with the law, Fabian Washington.

It's being reported that Washington will undergo a 26 week course in an intervention program for allegedly hitting his live-in girlfriend, but that pales in comparison to the troubles that Jones has been getting himself into since entering the NFL. Recently, it has come to light that Jones was paying extortion money to the alleged shooter in the infamous 'Stripper Gate.'

Supposedly, the Cowboys and Titans have agreed after lengthy negotiations on a trade for the oft-troubled corner in return for a fourth round pick and conditions. The conditions are not completely clear at this time, but it's been reported that the trade is contingent on Jones being reinstated by the NFL, and if he plays significant time, the Cowboys will send another mid round pick in 2009 to the Titans.

For all of the promise that Jones' talent brings, it's his penchant for being on the wrong side of the law that makes giving two mid round picks all the more a gamble. This is why it wouldn't be totally out of the realm of possibility that the Cowboys would part with a second round pick for former first rounder, Fabian Washington.

Washington has track speed, and even though he lost his starting spot last year to Stanford Routt, he played well the previous season when the Raiders held the third best passing defense in the league. The Cowboys have a definite deficit in corners in their secondary, and giving a second round pick is a relatively small price to pay considering they'd have to use one of their first round picks to draft an equal to Washington.

While there are possibly five corner backs in this year's draft that could be difference makers next year, it's likely that they'll all be gone before Dallas drafts in the second round. After the top corner backs, there is a steep drop off and it's highly unlikely that Jerry Jones would allow the team to start the season without an upgrade at the position. The Cowboys really need two corner backs, and adding Washington now even after getting PacMan, would seem to be their best bet.

As it stands now, the Cowboys are in a position where they must wait for PacMan to be reinstated. Only Roger Goodell knows what those odds are, but it's a good bet that Washington will be available. The only problem for the Cowboys in as things stand is that it's probably a 98% chance that Jones will also be suspended for at least four games during the season, and another 50% chance he gets suspended later on in the season.

Washington would present the Cowboys with a very safe and more than adequate corner who could step in and make the Cowboys defense much better in 2008. Their other needs include wide receiver/return man, backup running back, and offensive and defensive line depth. With two first round picks, they could grab a receiver and a running back who can both return kicks and punts, leaving them only with a need for depth selections.

With the Raiders needing more picks, having an abundance of corner backs, and the two Owners/GM's being best friends, it's a very likely scenario that they'll be able to help each other out this weekend. If they do, the draft gets a little more exciting for the Raiders.

Tags: NFL, Oakland Raiders, Raiders

Discussion

34 Comments on "Oakland Raiders: Could Washington be a Cowboy by the end of the draft?"

Posted by Raiderskev25, April 24, 2008 12:10 AM

I think a package of the #4 pick plus fabian & gerard warren to Dallas for two first rounders, a 3rd, 4th, 5th this year, a 5th next year plus LOLB Bobby Carpenter could happen.

Posted by Rob Calonge, April 24, 2008 12:30 AM

L Dizzle - I think you and I are definitely on the same page. I think that the Cowboys are really only four players away from being really scary: CB, WR (#2), RB (backup), Return man.

You can find a WR or a RB to return, but Fabian can also do some returning...just not as good as someone like D. Jackson from Cal. I have to think that if Jerry Jones coud get Jackson and at least Felix Jones, he's going to be thrilled. Adding a corner like Washington would make the Cowboys next year's Patriots...SCARY!

Posted by Raiderskev25, April 24, 2008 12:54 AM

I think we could get a late 2nd or early 3rd for Fabian Washington. I would trade down with the Jets at #6 to pick DT Sedrick Ellis plus a 3rd round pick. I got a feeling that we will trade with the Cowboys for the two 1st round picks plus a 1st next year, a third & fourth this year, and LOLB Bobby Carpenter. This would be a great scenario for both teams.

Posted by Could Fabian Washington be a Cowboy by the end of the weekend? - Oakland Raiders Forum | Message Boa, April 24, 2008 1:01 AM

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Posted by Patrick Patterson, April 24, 2008 3:13 AM

Rob, you hit the nail on the head. I would love to see this deal go down. We need more picks and Washington is expendable.

Posted by Pat T, April 24, 2008 6:30 AM

If we traded Washington or Routt to them for a 2nd round pick that would be awesome. And the Cowboys know they cant rely soly on Pacman to not get in trouble. But hey u never know maybe the Boys wanna do something bigger and trade up to get Dmac and give us their 2 picks in the 1st round and we include Fabian Washington in the deal and they might agree to it. Its worth to dream, Jerry Jones knows Dmac would be a great complement to Marion Barber's physical running style.

GO RAIDERS!!!

Posted by pat, April 24, 2008 6:34 AM

Fabian Washington will NEVER get a second round pick. We got Deangelo Hall for a second rounder. I said NEVER

Posted by raidermerv, April 24, 2008 6:37 AM

a 2nd round pick for Fab? My first reaction was "You gotsta be kid'n'!" "No way!" But then when I thought about that 2nd round pick being a low one then that does make sense. They need help and Fab can give it to them. He's so small though and gets manhandled by the bigger receivers.

Posted by Thoughts from the Dark Side: Oakland Raiders: Could Washington be a Cowboy by the end of the draft?, April 24, 2008 6:51 AM

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#10

Posted by jeremy, April 24, 2008 7:19 AM

trading fabian washington would make sense. here is a scenario that i have recently pondered.....the cowboys have 2 1st round picks. oakland should trade the #4 pick along with fabian washington to dallas in exchange for the cowboys picks at #22, #28, and pick #61. the raiders could still adress needs in the 1st round with players such as OT gosden cherilus, DE calais campbell, DT kentwan balmer, or even LB dan connor. then they could focus on an al davis pure speed athlete pick at the #61 position. if jerry jones is really that enamored with mcfadden he would have no problem doing that. just a thought.

#11

Posted by 702Nation, April 24, 2008 7:50 AM

I think we should package Washington or Stanford Routt with Rhodes to the Dolphins or Cardinals for their 2nd rd pick, then we could get Trevor Laws or the best available OT or WR

#12

Posted by RaiderDon73, April 24, 2008 7:56 AM

Hello Raider Fans: I think that Al Davis (actually Lane Kiffin) should trade the 4th selection in the draft to Dallas along with Fab Washington for D's 2-first round picks and their 3rd rounder. This will address ALL the needs for the Raiders upcoming season. This trade will make the Raiders the team to beat in the AFC West. Forget SD, they are done (afterall they have Turner as their coach), so they can't stay good for very long with him coaching. The Denver Donks are done, "Stick a fork in them", (and so is ShanaRat) and KC, "Forget About Em" they are sunk. Look for the Raiders to pull off the deal of the draft and get instantly better to compete for a playoff spot. Go Raiders !!!!!!!

#13

Posted by inonewordraider, April 24, 2008 8:45 AM

Gholston has too much potential to pass up at #4. The guy didn't pick up a Football till his sophmore year in high school and he recorded 14 sacks last year, in addition to beating the highest paid tackle in the NFL in the game against Michigan. He is still raw, yet did I mention he had 14 sacks last year? If we trade #4 it shouldn't be all the way down to #22 and #28. Getting in a position to get Derrick Harvey or Sedrick Ellis (though I don't know if Al would be willing to play Kelly at End w/ Ellis) wouldn't be a bad idea if we could get a second or third round pick along w/ it.

#14

Posted by pat T, April 24, 2008 8:46 AM

I have to say i would love to see RaiderDon73 scenario play out! That would be awesome and yeah we could very easily be competing for a playoff spot in the very weak AFC west, but until we can stop the run we WILL NOT BEAT SAN DIEGO. But we could pull off this trade, which would be great for the Raiders fan base and team. Can u picture the Silver & Black back in the playoffs?

#15

Posted by LARaider70, April 24, 2008 9:01 AM

We need to hold on to our 4th overall pick and only trade players as we have a surplus of CB's & RB's! We Could pick up 3rd & 4th round picks for them respectively. We need to draft G.Dorsey or C.Long. I'm not big on Gholston, he seems to be a gamble and I'm tired of our gambles gone wrong over the yrs. Plus you can gamble with later rounds not the first pick. Assuming Dorsey & Long are gone I wouldn't mind DMAC.

#16

Posted by SacRaider, April 24, 2008 9:17 AM

Why do people seem to think that Fab needs to be packaged along with the #4 overall for the Cowboys' 2 first round picks? Even without Fab, this would be a bad trade for the Raiders. It would take both of the Cowboys' 1st round picks as well as their 2nd round pick just to get decent trade value for #4. There's no need to throw in Fab.

You can't move into the Top 5 with just 2 late 1st round picks. Not gonna happen folks. Need to offer more than that.

However, Fab by himself might garner a 2nd (if we're lucky) or 3rd round pick. Hopefully the Raiders pull this off.

#17

Posted by Brian, April 24, 2008 9:57 AM

Burgess, and the #4 pick for Jason Taylor, Miami's 1rd and 2rd picks. Washington and Jordan for Dalla's late 1rd pick.

any thoughts?

#18

Posted by LDizzle, April 24, 2008 11:45 AM

Rob this was something I hinted at when I suggested the Cowboys would take WR Limas Sweed in the first round in my mock. AD and Jerry love to deal with each other and while everyone was talking about a trade up to get McFadden, a deal to send Washington for a 2nd rounder is the more realistic trade scenario. I am sure Jerry Jones would much rather spend a low second round pick on Fabs than a first rounder on a question mark. Then if Jones is suspended another 4 games Fabs can start opposite Newman until he comes back at which point he moves to nickel. That would give Dallas one heck of a secondary. And we would get the 2nd rounder we so desperately need. Win all around for both teams.

Brian trading Burgess for Taylor would be apples for oranges. Not only that it would be fresh apples for old oranges. No go.

#19

Posted by LDizzle, April 24, 2008 11:55 AM

SacRaider is absolutely right. the #4 pick and fabs for two low first rounders and a 3rd is no where near a good deal. As SacRaider said; the #4 pick alone is worth the two 1st rounders and their low 2nd rounder without Fabs in the mix. Although packaging Fabs and Jordan would certainly be enough for the Cowboys 28th pick in my mind. But I don't think anyone wants Jordan with his contract. He will most likely have to be released unless someone will throw the Raiders a low round bone for him.

#20

Posted by Patrick Patterson, April 24, 2008 1:31 PM

Just remember Al got a second and a third for Phillip 'Showtime' Bucannon. Washington has done more at the pro level.

#21

Posted by azraider37, April 24, 2008 1:56 PM

If we trade our pick, I wouldn't trade out of the top ten, unless proven young talent, several picks were involved. A lot of you guys seem to have a higher opinion of Fab Washington than I do. He does need to go. I hope we can get decent value. Trading Jordan would be great, but why would a team trade when they know he'll be on the market soon. I seen that we signed Duane Starks the other day. Why do we keep signing this guy, and never using him? Maybe he's ready to make a late in career move to safety like R. Woodson and A. Lewis. I wonder if we are still looking to move Huff?

#22

Posted by RaiderKen, April 24, 2008 1:57 PM

Just think of the last time Al traded down in the first round. Never yeah that's right. If by any luck Chris Long drops to us at #4 there is no way Al passes him up. Stop thinking of all the trade senarios, because we would have to have a block buster deal to trade down and frankly nobody really wants to give what it takes.

#23

Posted by Rob Calonge, April 24, 2008 2:11 PM

azraider37 - I ask myself the same question every time I see that we've resigned Starks. He won't make it out of camp, but then be resigned sometime during the season for a couple of games. His salary? ~$40,000 a game.

Maybe he's got something on Al like blackmail or voodoo or some sort of hypnotizing spell. In his defense, when he's played, he hasn't been bad.

#24

Posted by Mildog69, April 24, 2008 2:45 PM

If we get a second round pick for Washington from the Cowboys, I will expect Federal charges being filed shortly thereafter. Washington was a first round pick and played on a defensive squad that was two touchdowns behind for the coin flip. Our opponents did not need to pass but only use up the clock with their running game. The next year he was beat out by a second round choice. If we get a third round pick AD might still get Federal Probation. Granted Pacman has more baggage but he garnered only a fourth round selection.

#25

Posted by Mr Raiders, April 24, 2008 3:33 PM

I think the Raiders will trading ,fab whashington end jordan for the 2rd,3rd to the ,cowboys end ,like this will can gat a good WR. OT, end i thing thas is a good deal........?

#26

Posted by Mr Raiders, April 24, 2008 3:41 PM

GO Raiders , deal oh no deal.......?

#27

Posted by 702nation, April 24, 2008 3:59 PM

Jordan will not be traded because teams know he will have to be released because of his salary but Rhodes could be traded but we probably wont get more than a 4th for him. Washington is definitely worth a 3rd maybe even a 2nd, we should keep the 4th pick, trading down to get more players doesnt help much if they dont make an impact, if we traded with Dallas what players would we target, would they make as big an impact as any of the players we could get at 4? I personally dont think so. Stay at #4, trade Washington for a 2 or 3, release Jordan, and trade Rhodes if we get DMC.

#28

Posted by Mr Raiders, April 24, 2008 6:36 PM

Raiders can trade #4 to the cowboys for tha #22#2 ....I her the Raiders 1 to trade #4 to the jes for the#6end 2rd i thing is a good so why u guys thing............?

#29

Posted by Mr Raiders, April 24, 2008 6:46 PM

cowboys ne RB end they can gat the if traded they #22 ,rd 2 for the#4..... old I no is the Raiders they going to traded down to gat mor draft u w se.......??

#30

Posted by Steve, April 24, 2008 7:24 PM

I say let's give the bears fabian and the 1st rnd pick for urlacher and their 1st rnd pick

#31

Posted by Steve, April 24, 2008 7:28 PM

we can also look at trading #4 for #6 and robertson that way we can draft gholston. I don't really like gholston but that would really improve our team.

#32

Posted by Steve, April 24, 2008 7:42 PM

sorry about that last post I didn't know robertson had been traded to the donks

#33

Posted by Luis Silva, April 25, 2008 12:24 AM

Even though I do not like the Cowboys, I think making a deal with them could be in our best interest. Washington for a second round pick is reasonable. If the deal goes down I hope Washington does'nt make a fool of J Russ by intercepting his passes in 2009 when we play against the Cowboys.

#34

Posted by NateDawg151, April 25, 2008 10:19 AM

Take DMAC!!!! All our 4 expendable players we can get 3rd or 4th round picks for them. If anything package 2 of them together and get a Roy Williams or a Ocho Cinco. Imagine Roy willams, DMAC, Bush, JRuss and Walker. WHo cares if we cant stop the run, how you going to stop us