Alameda, Calif. ? Art Shell’s first draft in his return as coach of the Oakland Raiders could be pivotal in determining how long he lasts in his latest tenure under owner Al Davis.

The Raiders have the No. 7 overall selection today in the NFL Draft and could easily find themselves in position to pick either Southern California’s Matt Leinart or his Rose Bowl counterpart, Texas quarterback Vince Young.

“I think our attitude has always been to get the best player available, particularly early – or you could end up missing out on a guy,” said Jon Kingdon, the Raiders’ director of college scouting. “Later on in the draft, you can zero in on a position you’re light at. You rank them based on who’s best from the top on down and cross them out as they get picked.”

The last time Davis approved using a first-round pick on a quarterback was in 1991, when the Raiders took another USC star, Todd Marinovich – during Shell’s first run as coach – and that didn’t work out.

Marinovich lasted only two seasons in the league, and Shell was fired following a 9-7 campaign in 1994.

Leinart and Young are the top-rated quarterbacks in the draft and there’s a chance both could be gone by the time the Raiders are on the clock. The Tennessee Titans, who have banned quarterback Steve McNair from working out at team headquarters, are likely to take a quarterback with the third overall pick.

At the NFL combine in Indianapolis last month, the Raiders courted Young and spent significant time getting to know him. Young visited the Raiders in California last week.

Oakland released Kerry Collins last month in an expected salary-cap move after the 33-year-old quarterback went 7-21 in two years as Oakland’s starter. That left Shell with backup Marques Tuiasosopo and Andrew Walter before the Raiders signed Aaron Brooks to a two-year contract in March.

Shell has not yet given the job to Brooks, who started 82 straight games before being benched for the final three contests of 2005 with the Saints.

If no quarterbacks are available once Oakland picks, the Raiders might try to continue the upgrade of a defense that made strides last season but still finished among the league’s worst. Shell, hired in February to replace the fired Norv Turner, has been around this organization long enough to know Davis’ approach to the draft has changed little over the years.

“The fact Art has been here before and spent seven or eight years drafting with us made for an easy transition from Norv,” Kingdon said.

While the 76-year-old Davis will seek Shell’s input, the final call is always his.

The Raiders, desperate to rebuild and repair their reputation on the heels of three straight losing seasons, need help across the board after an unusually quiet free agency period.

Oakland must first find a way through the draft to become competitive again in the talented AFC West. Oakland went 1-11 against the division during Turner’s two-year tenure – and winless last season for the first time since Davis came aboard in 1963 to coach and eventually own the team.

“I don’t mind the challenge,” Shell said. “The Raiders are home, where I grew up and spent 27 years. I’ve come to be part of trying to get the team back to their winning ways. It’s exciting to me.”

The offense sputtered down the stretch, scoring only 51 points with just six touchdowns in the final five games. The Raiders lost their last six games overall and eight of nine despite an offense featuring Randy Moss, LaMont Jordan and Jerry Porter that was expected to be high-powered when last season began.

While Moss dealt with nagging injuries for much of the season, Collins and Turner also were criticized for not getting the most out of the superstar receiver in his first season with the franchise.

He had only one multi-touchdown game and finished the season with 60 catches for 1,005 yards and eight TDs – and at 4-12, the Raiders managed one fewer victory than in Turner’s first season.

Oakland still has a deep receiving corps returning in 2006. This weekend, the Raiders will be looking for a defensive tackle, outside linebacker, safety and offensive lineman – in no particular order.

“We can pretty much address any position without focusing on any one,” Kingdon said. “Several positions need shoring up. We’re good on punter and kicker, and the receivers are a pretty solid group.”