Oakland Raiders Late Round NFL Draft Notes

Sep 6, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Neiron Ball (11) and teammates work out prior to the game against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Staff writer J.P. Scott offers his thoughts on the players drafted by the Raiders on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.

With the 2015 NFL Draft all wrapped up, it’s time for Raider Nation to look a little closer and what the Raider did with their picks. Here at Just Blog Baby, our staff gave you our takes on the picks in the first three rounds as they happened. Another one of our writers graded the draft. I’m just here to share my thoughts — more or less as an outsider — on the late round picks who will be competing for roster spots later this summer.

More from Las Vegas Raiders Draft

Jon Feliciano, Guard, Miami (FL) — I felt like Feliciano was a bit of a reach at this point. He is serviceable and better in the run than the pass, it was just too early with some of the other talent on the board and needs on the depth chart. That said, he’s a safe pick and adds depth, as he’s versatile enough to play anywhere on the line if called upon. I do wonder how much playing alongside Ereck Flowers might have masked some of his shortcomings. Really though, it’s rare that you can go wrong by drafting a guy from “the U.”

Ben Heeney, Linebacker, Kansas — I predict Heeney could eventually be a Raider Nation favorite. He combines old school toughness with some underrated athleticism at the linebacker position. He’s a true ball hawk and an elite open-field tackler, despite a high number of missed tackles on the stat sheets. I feel like his misses are a result of him making his way close to plays that he never really had a chance to make. Playing at Kansas kept him from being a household name in college football. If he played for Oklahoma, there’s no way he would last past Day 2. Honestly, I was more excited about this pick than any in Oakland’s draft based on potential and Raider fans should be as well.

Neiron Ball, Linebacker, Florida — When I watch Neiron Ball, the one world that comes to mind is “aggressive.” Nobody I watched on film or live fires across the line with the explosion that Ball does off the snap. He’s high risk, high reward on every play, but I can see him eventually rounding out the rest of his game and earning a starting spot opposite of Mack. In terms of potential, I’m not sure how much better the Raiders could have done at this point.

Max Valles, Defensive End, Virginia — I see Valles as sort of a poor man’s Chandler Jones. He’s a smart kid and never gives up on plays, but he’s still very raw. His length makes him dangerous against the pass at the line of scrimmage because of his ability to bat down balls. That said, he’s going to have a tough time working against NFL tackles unless he can put on some weight and play lower. All in all, a nice value pick. He’s a project that could one day yield serious dividends.

Anthony Morris, Offensive Tackle, Tennessee State — Not many people are high on Morris, but I like what I’ve seen from his film. He’s honestly one of the better drive blockers I’ve seen in a long time. Aside from his obvious strength, he’s pretty mobile for his size, which tells me he can play guard — even standing 6-7 — if he needs to. Another depth adding pick.

Andre Debose, Wide Receiver/Kick Returner, Florida — Debose is as fast on the field as anyone in this draft. As a receiver, he’s a deep threat that must be respected by opposing defensive backfields at all times. He real value comes on special teams, where his speed and vision are game changers. I like the potential here.

Dexter McDonald, Cornerback, Kansas — The second Kansas product drafted by the Raiders in 2015, McDonald is an underrated shutdown corner with the speed to run with anyone. He’s a workout warrior, but his on-field skills do need to catch up with his athleticism. It will be interesting to see whether or not he is able to land a roster spot.

More from Just Blog Baby

Home/Las Vegas Raiders Draft