The Morning After: Oakland Raiders Options for Round 2

Aug 30, 2014; Charlottesville, VA, USA; UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Owamagbe Odighizuwa (94) and Bruins linebacker Eric Kendricks (6) line up against the Virginia Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

2. Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA

Owa Udighizuwa is another defensive end who has the prototypical size and build to be a full-time 4-3 defensive end at 6’3″ and 267 pounds with a shredded, muscular physique. He was an incredibly versatile player in Jim Mora and Jeff Ulbrich’s defense at UCLA and showed the speed and athleticism to be an edge rusher to go with good strength and technique as an interior rusher and run stuffer. But partially because of his low pass-rushing production at UCLA (which may have had to do with scheme) and his raw showing on tape as a pass rusher, he is viewed as a 2-down run stuffing end primarily, at least for now, and a developmental project as a pass rusher.

That said, he has the speed and physical ability to present a viable pass rushing threat, and the Raiders already have some solid NFL pass rushers on the defense in Khalil Mack and Sio Moore. Odighizuwa is very well built, strong, fast and agile, and can likely be coached up to be a very capable pass rusher in his own right. He could be the weakside end in a traditional 4-3 front, or even the strongside end next to Khalil Mack in an under front, where Justin Tuck played most of last season. He would bring tenacity, motor, uncanny physical gifts and some good versatility to the Raider defensive roster.

Next: Friday Players to Watch: TJ Clemmings