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Oakland Raiders: Potential Draft Strategies

By Rory Anderson

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (8) pumps up the crowd during the first half of the game against the Texas State Bobcats at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2015; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Jalen Ramsey (8) pumps up the crowd during the first half of the game against the Texas State Bobcats at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /

Trade Up: Raiders Move Up to #4, give a 2nd

Round 1: Jalen Ramsey DB FSU
Round 3: Yannick Ngakoue Edge Maryland
Round 4: Chris Jones DE Miss St
Round 5: Antonio Morrison LB UF
Round 6: AJ Stamps S UK
Round 6: Jordan Rigsbee OG Cal
Round 7: Peyton Barber RB Clemson

Final Thoughts 

If you follow me on Twitter, you will know that I highly advocate trading down in this draft. Regardless of compensation, moving down is the best option for the Raiders. This front office has gone out and acquired the young building blocks through the draft, then added solid young veteran pieces around those budding stars. What this team desperately needs to add is depth, and create a culture of breeding and developing success where good players may have to move on, but have replacements waiting for them. In order for the Raiders to become that breeding ground of talent, they have to get those pieces that give them the long term stability.

Yes the Raiders lack the man in the back end at safety, but most of the better safeties in the NFL have been non first round picks. The safety position has grown in importance over the years in the NFL and the skill set they provide enables defenses to be very flexible. They are no longer deep lying enforcers, they are playmakers. Adding bodies to the current group will be essential and the more bites the Raiders can have at that apple the more likely they are to hit on one or more. I truly believe the combination of Thompson and Dillon could forge a long term solution for the Raiders at the safety position.

Of course, the draft is not an exact science nor is it objective. When I say I believe a certain player will be available in the second round, many teams could have a first round grade on them. What’s more likely is the Raiders take a player like Darian Thompson at 14 because they could not trade down, they love his talent, and they do not want to risk not getting him. From a value standpoint, that stinks, but from a roster building standpoint, it may be a necessary evil. These are all issues we must consider, because unlike the last two drafts, this year’s is making out to be one built entirely on intrigue and chaos.

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