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Oakland Raiders: Best Players Available in Round 2

By Nick Hjeltness

Nov 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) lines up against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) lines up against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 2, 2015; Provo, UT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Mitchell Juergens (87) runs after a reception as Connecticut Huskies safety Obi Melifonwu (20) pursues the play during the first half at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports – Oakland Raiders
Oct 2, 2015; Provo, UT, USA; Brigham Young Cougars wide receiver Mitchell Juergens (87) runs after a reception as Connecticut Huskies safety Obi Melifonwu (20) pursues the play during the first half at Lavell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports – Oakland Raiders /

The best available players for the Oakland Raiders heading into the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

With the 24th overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Oakland Reggie made Ohio State cornerback Gareon Conley their first round pick.

The move was a surprise to many, considering the ongoing investigation into rape allegations surrouning the former Buckeye. Surveillance footage and witnesses may help clear Conley, as could the polygraph test he passed.

Simply put, if the Raiders did not feel there was enough evidence at this point in time that would lead to his name being cleared, they would have not drafted him.

Heading into the second round of the draft, there is still a ton of talent left on the board. With plenty of holes still needing to be filled and the 56th available pick, here are the top five remaining players.

Obi Melifonwu, S, Connecticut

Obi could have been the pick at 24, and no one would have blinked an eye. At 6’4″ 224 pounds, Melifonwu is one of the best athletes that has ever graced the NFL Combine.

As a former cornerback that has converted to safety, Obi has the ball skills and range to be a playmaker in the secondary. The upside with him is as high as anyone in this class.

The concern is Obi doesn’t play up to his size. He’s not as good of a tackler or as big of a hitter as you would expect, so he needs to be more physical. He seems a bit raw on film and could use a lot of work on his technique.

But if he somehow fell to the 56th pick, pairing him with Karl Joseph would give the Raiders a dynamic duo in the back-end of the secondary for years to come.

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