2018 Raiders NFL Draft: Ten value picks in Round 3 and after

8 of 10

COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 09: Dimitri Flowers #36 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs with the ball on his way to scoring a 36-yard touchdown during the third quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Dimitri Flowers – Fullback, Oklahoma

Though I disagree with the philosophy, the Raiders seem set on using more of the traditional fullback in their offense this season. They signed Keith Smith from Dallas, but I think Flowers can be a much better player.

After signing Smith, the team traded away Jamize Olawale, who was expected to play a role out of the backfield this season. Instead of that, the team wants fullbacks who can get in there and make big blocks for their running back tandem of Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin.

Flowers is a tough, hard nose blocker with the quickness to move in space and power to take on defensive linemen. On top of that, he brings versatility as both a runner and pass catcher.

At Oklahoma, Flowers rushed for four touchdowns while also catching four touchdowns too. So, Oakland can use him without the defense thinking he is just staying in to block.

I even saw him line up in the slot sometimes, so formation diversity is entirely available with Flowers. To get a player who can not only be an effective weapon on offense, and be not afraid to throw great blocks would be a perfect find for Gruden later in the NFL Draft.

In the fifth or sixth round, I could see Gruden wanting to take a hard look at him, as he has that thing about him Gruden covets. The Sooners benefited from having Flowers, and Oakland could too.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders Draft