NFL Network: JR #1

The NFL's pom-poms were out in Cajun country today. Anyone who watched the League's official network was told JaMarcus Russell will be drafted No. 1 next month, probably by Oakland or possibly to a team - Cleveland was mentioned - that trades up for him. A non-NFL employee, Raider beat reporter Jerry McDonald, had a more realistic take on his blog.

LSU Pro Day photo album here

CH. 212 Draft Guru Mike Mayock said today was a "great day for LSU QB JaMarcus Russell. After being ribbed for being a little chubby at the combine, Mayock said thanks to a fish diet, he's lost nine pounds - Russell ran a 4.83 40 today and weighed in at 256. And speaking of food, JR had dinner w/ the Raiders last night.

"It was a great day for him, said new Raiders coach Lane Kiffin. "There's no doubt he has a great future in this league." While they decide on JR as their No. 1 pick, Kiffin told NFL Network they are checking his background "back to his high school days" and plan on bringing him to Oakland for a sit down before the draft.

When asked if there was one word to describe JR, he said it was "professional."

NFL Network co-host Marshall Faulk said JR was an "easy pick" to go No. 1 to Oakland.

Mayock mentioned that JR's "footwork has gotten cleaner and more efficient" since the Sugar Bowl victory over Notre Dame. The former NFL safety said Russell has the "best arm of any qb" he's "ever seen" and you can "hear his ball" when it's fired through the air.

If they stay at No. 1 and don't trade down, NFLN's Adam Schefter said Oakland is "enamored" with the LSU QB and will draft him.