Arkansas running back McFadden visits Raiders

Many so-called NFL draft experts project Arkansas running back Darren McFadden to go to the Oakland Raiders with the fourth pick. McFadden's visit with Raiders coaches and front-office people Monday fuels such speculation.

It's important to note that McFadden won't be the last player to meet with the Oakland Raiders before April 26, when the two-day draft begins.

Raiders Coach Lane Kiffin downplayed the prospect of the team taking Darren McFadden, given the presence of running backs Justin Fargas, LaMont Jordan, Dominic Rhodes and Michael Bush on the roster.

"Running back is really not a need for us," Kiffin said last week.

Then again, McFadden, 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, isn't just a run-of-the-mill player. He is fast, strong, versatile and loaded with potential.

Kiffin has referred to McFadden as "a phenomenal player," the kind of player "a lot of people would like to have," and a Reggie Bush-like talent.

McFadden was not made available to Bay Area media after his visit with the Raiders. He entered the draft after a standout junior season in which he rushed for 1,830 yards (5.6-yard average) and 16 touchdowns. Fargas led the Raiders in rushing last season and is the projected starter.

 

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