Adding a second member to the defensive side of the field, the Oakland Raiders went with production in their selection of Thomas Howard.
A three-year starter and All-Conference selection the past two years, Howard totaled 85 tackles with three sacks and 7.5 sacks after netting 62 tackles with eight sacks and 14 tackles for a loss as a junior.
Howard is an immediate upgrade to a linebacking crew that needs more playmakers and he will team with Kirk Morrison to make a formidable unit.
At 6-foot-3, 240-pounds, Howard still managed to run a 4.42 forty-yard dash. His ability to play sideline-to-sideline intrigued the Raiders.