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Oakland Raiders Ultimate Offseason Primer

By Nick Hjeltness

November 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is congratulated by guard Gabe Jackson (66) after throwing a touchdown pass against the New York Jets during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 1, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) is congratulated by guard Gabe Jackson (66) after throwing a touchdown pass against the New York Jets during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Sidney Jones (26) before the Pac-12 championship against the Colorado Buffaloes at Levi’s Stadium. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
December 2, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive back Sidney Jones (26) before the Pac-12 championship against the Colorado Buffaloes at Levi’s Stadium. The Huskies defeated the Buffaloes 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

2017 NFL Draft

And last but not least, the 2017 NFL Draft.

With the 24th pick, it’s anyone’s guess as to how this will play out. But what we do know is that this draft class is DEEP.

The talent that is going to be available when the Raiders go on the clock — assuming they stay at 24 — is going to be unlike anything we’ve seen in quite some time. It’s a damn good draft class. Maybe not elite at the top, but there is a ton of talent available through the first two rounds, and even beyond that.

“Best player available” is almost always the mantra to live by, but of course, need does come into play. With the Raiders, they need as much help as they can get on defense, so hopefully that’s the focus.

So if the best player on the board is a defensive end or tackle, a pass rusher, a linebacker (inside or outside), a cornerback or a safety…take that player. Oakland could use more talent on all levels and in all aspects of the defense.

Mock drafts have the Raiders all over the place, but almost exclusively with an emphasis on the defensive side of the ball.

For the first two rounds, here are the most talked about names to remember:

Cornerbacks include Sidney Jones, Marlon Humphrey (some consider him a safety), Teez Tabor, Quincy Wilson, Tre’Davious White, Gareon Conley, and Cordrea Tankersley.

The most sought after safeties include Budda Baker, Obi Melifonwu, Eddie Jackson, and Desmond King.

Linebackers include Jarrad Davis, Haason Reddick, Takkarist McKinley, Ryan Anderson, Zach Cunningham, and Raekwon McMillan.

Defensive linemen include Caleb Brantley, Malik McDowell, Taco Charlton, Charles Harris, and Derek Barnett.

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As of right now, my ideal scenario would be to grab a front seven player in the first round and take a cornerback in round two, since that is the deeper position.

As for the later rounds, McKenzie seems to like finding running backs later — Latavius Murray was a sixth-round pick, DeAndre Washington was a fifth-round pick and Jalen Richard went undrafted. Jamaal Williams of BYU and Aaron Jones of UTEP are my favorite late-round options as of the moment. D’Onta Foreman is also a strong option, although he seems likely to go in round two or three. Same for Kareem Hunt.

For slot receiver, similar things can be said as at running back. Just think about all the late-round or undrafted wide receivers that have been on the roster in recent years. Expect that trend to continue, and if it does, Carols Henderson, Ryan Switzer, K.D. Cannon and Shelton Gibson are my favorite options that Dane Brugler of CBS Sports has pegged as fifth round or later prospects. Although I think a couple of those names will go earlier than that.

Next: Draft profile: Cooper Kupp

Whoever he drafts, McKenzie has shown some patterns over the years — he definitely has a “type” of prospect that he prefers. Which after the NFL Combine, we’ll be able to re-visit in more depth.

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