In the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders selected Gareon Conley, a shutdown cornerback from Ohio State. While Conley struggled to get going at the NFL level, due to injuries, and then a coaching staff that placed him in the doghouse, he is finally rounding into one of the better corners in the AFC West.
Conley has been terrific, but the Raiders have struggled to find someone to put on the other side, and that is where they should focus pick No. 2 in the first round. Sure, they need help at safety, but a standout player like Byron Murphy could be available this late in round one, and many believe he could be the best pro cornerback to come out of this draft class.
Teaming Murphy with Conley for the next five years would give Paul Guenther a legitimate tandem at the cornerback position, and would add great depth to the position group. Murphy has great hands, is a guy who can take away one side of the field, and has the athleticism you look for in a starting cornerback.