Just Blog Baby 2014 NFL Mock Draft: Round One 9.0

Dec 28, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels tight end Eric Ebron (85) runs after a catch during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium. Carolina defeated Cincinnati 39-17. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

#5 Oakland Raiders: Eric Ebron, TE UNC 

Rory’s Take: Here I go throwing everyone for a loop. First of all, Vic Tafur reported that the Raiders only view Teddy Bridgewater as a first round pick. I take that report very seriously although we should all consider the misinformation possibilities. Beyond that, if Watkins is gone why not add the best player at a position that lacks dominant players after Round 1? Ebron is a physical freak and although his route running needs to be refined and his blocking worked on, the Raiders could use he and Rivera in dynamic two tight end sets and line them up in the slot to spread the defense out and make the blocking assignments easier.

Chase’s Take: With Manziel still on the board the Raiders will have to take a long look regardless of their feelings on whether or not he is a Top 5 pick, but Eric Ebron is a sleeper that you shouldn’t rule out. One of the most dynamic playmakers in a position of need that has a steady drop off in talent after Ebron makes the physical beast from UNC a player to keep an eye on even if it is a longshot. I truly believe that Ebron has Top 10 talent and could be the best pass catching prospect outside of Watkins, pairing Ebron up with Mychal Rivera and Nick Kasa would have Oakland set up at TE for the next 5-8 years.