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Reviewing the Oakland Raiders 2016 NFL Draft

By Matthew Lorscheider

Jan 16, 2015; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie (left) at press conference at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2015; Alameda, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie (left) at press conference at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers guard Vadal Alexander (74) takes the field prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Music City Bowl at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers guard Vadal Alexander (74) takes the field prior to the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Music City Bowl at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 7, Pick 234: Vadal Alexander, OG, Louisiana State

The Raiders waited until their last pick of the draft to make what could turn out to be the best pick of 2016, in LSU guard Vadal Alexander. Despite a career as a three-year starter at LSU, Alexander was overlooked and his game heavily criticized by scouts, causing him to fall into the seventh round.

The massive Alexander (6’5″, 325) has reminded some of current Raider offensive guard Gabe Jackson, and the two measure up well both in terms of height, weight and 40-yard dash times (both ran it in over 5.5 seconds), and in terms of their scouting reports. Both are big, nasty blockers with very slow feet who don’t bench press or broad jump all too impressively but show outstanding play strength. Alexander is a bit more versatile than Jackson, starting at both guard and right tackle at LSU.

Alexander was looked at as a 3rd round pick by many scouts, despite his slow feet and his struggles with finishing blocks in college, but clearly teams didn’t agree. But Alexander had a successful career in a conference where he faced elite defensive line talent week after week, and has the frame and length and power to boot. He could develop into a long-term starter at guard, giving the Raiders a couple of really big nasties on either side of Rodney Hudson.

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