Penn State's Wisniewski to join uncle with Oakland Raiders

Nepotism is alive and well - very well, in fact - with the Oakland Raiders.

But the fact Stefen Wisniewski's uncle, Steve Wisniewski, was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection for the Raiders and is now their assistant offensive line coach is not the overriding reason why Oakland selected the All-America guard for Penn State with their first pick of the 2011 draft, No. 48 overall, last night. Sentimentality is nice at family reunions, but productivity is always an NFL team's first consideration.

Oakland did not have a first-rounder in the draft, which opened Thursday night, having sent it to the New England Patriots last year in exchange for former Pro Bowl defensive lineman Richard Seymour.

"Just because Steve was there didn't necessarily mean it was going to happen," said Eddie Johnson, of Eastern Athletic Services, which represents Wisniewski. "Need dictated the pick more than anything. And, of course, the Raiders had a lot of knowledge about Stefen, as a football player and as a person."

Stefen acknowledged being "thrilled" to be going to what was his favorite team growing up.

"It's pretty awesome, in general, to be drafted, but even more so, going to the Raiders," he said amid the clatter of "60 or 70" friends and relatives crammed inside a house in Bridgeville, Pa., where they gathered to watch the draft on television. "I grew up cheering for the Raiders because of my uncle. Now I get to play for them. I still can't believe it."

Wisniewski, a 3-year starter for the Nittany Lions, played center his junior season in Happy Valley and was a third-team All-America. He was switched back to right guard for his senior campaign, a position at which he said he felt most comfortable. Most projections had him listed as a center, however, and former Raiders defensive back and Hall of Famer Willie Brown announced him as such at the draft.

"Coach [Hue] Jackson told me I'd be playing center when he called," said Wisniewski, who graduated with a 3.91 grade-point average in secondary education. "I'm fine with that. I just want to be able to contribute wherever I'm needed."

The Raiders are coming off an 8-8, non-playoff season, but went 6-0 against AFC West rivals.

"It's definitely a team on the rise," Wisniewski said. "They're going in the right direction. I'm exciting about having the chance to help them continue going in the right direction." *