Oakland Raiders, Week 9: 2018 NFL Mock Draft
By John Buhler
We’ve made it through the first half of the 2017 NFL season. Unfortunately that does not mean we’re halfway there towards making the AFC playoffs for the Oakland Raiders. Oakland went a rough 3-5 in their first eight games of the season. The Raiders would be picking in the top 10 of the 2018 NFL Draft if the season ended today.
It’s difficult to dissect what exactly went wrong with this team this year. Maybe some guys are just coming off career years and didn’t put in the work in the offseason? Perhaps a strong second-place schedule was too much for this on-the-rise team to overcome? Could the Raiders just need a few more players to rebuild this defense?
It could be any of those things and more. However, the Raiders may need to focus their attention to the 2018 NFL Draft should they fall to 3-6 after a loss on Sunday Night Football this week to the Miami Dolphins. The only two teams in the AFC with worse records than the Raiders are the Indianapolis Colts (2-6) and the still winless Cleveland Browns (0-8).
If we’re looking at the draft, Oakland has primary, secondary and tertiary needs it can address with its 11 picks. Those picks include five in the sixth round. Oakland’s primary needs are defensive line, linebacker and running back. The team’s secondary needs are out on the edge, guard and tight end. Their tertiary needs include offensive tackle, wide receiver and safety. Let’s get drafting.