Oakland Raiders, Week 4: 2018 NFL Mock Draft
By John Buhler
Washington State’s national presence has been elevated after beating USC in Pullman. While quarterback Luke Falk is a pro-level quarterback, let’s keep an eye on his guard Cody O’Connell. Though he plays in an Air Raid offense, he might end up being the most productive pro on Mike Leach’s 2017 team.
Toledo is putting out some great players of late. We’ve talked about Kareem Hunt. Treyvon Hester has been a solid piece for the Raiders. Tight end Michael Roberts could be something for the Detroit Lions. Though the bulk of the focus on the Rockets this year will be their intriguing quarterback prospect Logan Woodside, it would be nice to kick the tires on wide receiver Cody Thompson in the sixth round.
Tray Matthews has been playing college ball forever. He used to play for the Georgia Bulldogs before transferring to the rival Auburn Tigers. This is his redshirt senior season with Auburn. The Tigers have a great defense at all levels under Kevin Steele. Matthews is one of those players that could prove to be a very valuable pick in the sixth round for whichever team drafts him.
The last tertiary need the Raiders need to address in this draft will be at offensive tackle. Donald Penn is here for a few more years. Rookie David Sharpe could be an interesting piece in a few years. It may not be a bad idea to get David Bright out of Stanford with this sixth round selection. Stanford players have shined in recent years in the NFL since the game has become increasingly intellectual.
Oakland can address all nine of its draft needs before the end of the sixth round. What the Raiders do with their final two picks is entirely up to them. It would make sense to go after developmental projects on defense. You can never have too many solid edge players. Maybe going with Jordan Sherit out of Florida could be in play here?
Next: Oakland Raiders: All-time team
Seventh Round
With the last pick the Raiders will have in the draft, Oakland should go with a cornerback. Indiana’s Rashard Fant will likely be around at that point. The Raiders need help in the secondary. Fant will have played in tough Big Ten competition against the likes of Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State in divisional play.