With the NFL draft looming right around the corner the 40 times and Wonderlic tests have been exhausted, the only thing left to do is take the risk and draft that one player that will save the organization. The problem is too often that player turns out to be a bust. The San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders will hope to avoid the later as they pick sixth and seventh in this year’s draft.

The 49ers, who held the first pick in last year’s draft and chose quarterback Alex Smith, are in desperate need of an impact player. The Raiders, on the other hand are in a win-win position because they can only get better and the pressure to pick an immediate contributor is not as high as their cross-town rivals.

Smith struggled last year and few people think he will live up to his six-year, $49.5 million deal. The 49ers added guard Larry Allen to provide protection for Smith, but I doubt Smith will be the savior the 49ers hoped he would be when they drafted him number one overall. Smith lacks experience, fumbles too often, and does not make good decisions under pressure. On the upside, he’s just 21 years old and is now under the tutelage of Norv Turner, the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys during their back to back Super Bowl championships in 1992 and 1993.

The Niners will most likely draft a defensive player after losing linebacker’s Julian Peterson and Andre Carter. If linebacker A.J. Hawk from Ohio State is available I expect the 49ers will draft him, if not, safety Michael Huff from Texas would be a perfect complement to safety Tony Parrish. If for any reason defensive end Mario Williams from N.C. State were to drop to the sixth spot the 49ers would jump on that immediately.

If the 49ers choose to go on the offensive, tight end Vernon Davis from Maryland would be the safest pick since the team already signed receivers Antonio Bryant and Brian Gilmore to go with Arnaz Battle and Rasheed Marshall.

The Raiders, who signed quarterback Aaron Brooks in the off-season, are looking to strengthen their defense, especially the linebacker position and defensive line. Oakland released defensive tackle Ted Washington, which left them with the aging Warren Sapp and youngsters Tommy Kelly and Terdell Sands. Expect the Raiders to take a shot at defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkely from Florida State or linebacker A.J. Hawk, if he is available.

If Vince Young happens to drop into the second five of the draft don’t be surprised if the Raiders take him and groom him behind Brooks to be the quarterback of the future.

April 29, is right around the corner and both the 49ers and Raiders need to add a few talented players to be competitive this upcoming season. This draft won’t break either team but if the Niners and Raider choose wisely they could get a star.