Five Thoughts on the Raiders Draft

Five thoughts on the 2017 NFL Draft haul of Reggie McKenzie and the Oakland Raiders.

It’s only been days since the draft. The hot takes have been scorching, the analysts are burned out, and shots have been fired. The ashes are on the ground, but we aren’t quite done yet. The annual futile draft grades are being unveiled and some of big name draft guys aren’t too high on the Oakland Raiders draft — and that’s fine.

As someone who primarily covers the Raiders, their needs and the type of guys that Reggie McKenzie likes, I could guarantee you that they are ecstatic about this draft haul. They got their targeted prospects and drafted them in “high-value” spots too.

Here are five thoughts on the Raiders 2017 draft.

1. According to Rappaport, the Raiders were targeting Obi Melifonwu in the first round. However, they had Gareon Conley  rated as their top corner and felt the value at 24 was too good to pass up. The Raiders did their homework and have to be confident that Conley will be exonerated.

Some fans are mad that the Raiders passed on Rueben Foster, but so did almost every other NFL team. His medical is bad and it is understandable that they went in a different direction especially with a prospect like Conley on the board.

2. The Raiders were able to get their first round target, Melfonwu, in the second round without any maneuvering. His height, weight and testing scores will instantly put him in the class of the most elite athletes in the NFL. This doesn’t ensure he will be good but it certainly increases his chances. Also, his film is very solid and he is uniquely fluid in man to man coverage for a man of his size. He will help the Raiders cover tight ends like Travis Kelce right away.

3. The Raiders didn’t address their inside linebacker need with a high round draft pick, but they got one of the inside linebacker prospects that they specifically targeted in Marquel Lee from Wake Forest.

Lee wasn’t highly talked about by the media because their wasn’t much film available on him, but he is a big linebacker at 6’3 240 lbs that has great movement skills. Many won’t agree, but he’s better than Zach Cunningham.

The Raiders showed interest in Lee after the combine, so he wasn’t just a reach in the middle rounds because the Raiders were desperate for a linebacker. McKenzie got a linebacker he targeted in the 5th round — that’s good value.

4. Some people were linking Cam Robinson to the Raiders in the first round because the Raiders need left tackle depth and someone to groom for when Penn retires. However, the Raiders passed on Robinson, but drafted two prospects with excellent measurable for Mike Tice to groom in David Sharpe (Florida), and Jylan Ware (Alabama State).

The coaches like these prospects a lot and it’ll be interesting to see how they develop, as they will not be rushed into action anytime soon.

5. Undrafted Free Agents wide receiver Ishmael Zamora and tight end Pharaoh Brown could surprise in camp and claim roster spots. Both are athletic specimens and could add to an already stacked receivers/ tight ends group.

McKenzie said after the draft, “We got a lot of players it looks like we needed. Some are going to be a little raw.” To some extent, this was a boom or bust draft. He drafted players that have the ability to be top pros but need more coaching and refinement.

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Some people may link this with Al Davis’s approach but it’s closer to John Schneider’s approach as general manager of the Seahawks. McKenzie drafted great athletes (not just fast in the 40) with flashes on film with correctable flaws.

You win with blue-chip players in this league and I think McKenzie found some in the draft.