2011 SB Nation NFL Mock Draft: Round 2, Pick 48

Our annual 2011 NFL Mock Draft, with picks made by each of SB Nation’s NFL team bloggers, is in full swing. The latest pick in to the podium: the Oakland Raiders, at No. 48 overall.

Raymond St. Martin of SilverAndBlackPride.com explains the choice, and our own Dan Kadar reacts to it, after the jump. Make sure you’re grading this pick for the Raiders, and checking out Silver and Black Pride for all of your Raiders needs.

Raymond St. Martin explains: This is my fifth year drafting for the Oakland Raiders, and I have to say that today was the most difficult decision that I’ve had to make. I never expected Stefen Wisniewski to be available at No. 48, so I had to take a long hard look at Wisniewski, whose Uncle Steven, a former Pro-Bowler in Oakland, is now coaching the O-Line.

In the end, though, I have to go with what I have heard from Jim Otto himself - that Samson Satele will be a great center - and also with what the Raiders need on the offensive line. The person who best fits the Raiders, and in my opinion the best lineman still available, is Marcus Cannon.

Cannon can start on the inside right away, and may be able to replace Langston Walker at the right tackle position, which would allow Walker to move inside and give the Raiders 700-plus pounds on the right side to open holes for Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. Cannon was a terrific part of the success that TCU has enjoyed over the past few years, and he will be a force in the NFL as well.

Dan Kadar reacts: Ah, the Raiders. The team no one seems to ever want to intelligently discuss. Al Davis is wacky! So kudos to Raymond for not simply plugging in an athletic sensation. In fact, he did just the opposite opting for the lumbering Cannon.

The Raiders need linemen, so either Cannon or Wisniewski would be a good choice. Oakland is a team on the verge of playoff contention, and adding a reliable starter like Cannon will only push them higher.