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Oakland Raiders: 5 Prospects to Watch at the East-West Shrine Game

By Jordan Alexis

OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 9: Wide receiver DaMarkus Lodge #5 of the Mississippi Rebels catches a pass over safety Tae Martin #3 of the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks for a first down during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 9, 2017 in OXFORD, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 9: Wide receiver DaMarkus Lodge #5 of the Mississippi Rebels catches a pass over safety Tae Martin #3 of the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks for a first down during the second quarter of an NCAA football game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 9, 2017 in OXFORD, Mississippi. (Photo by Butch Dill/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 24: Tre Watson #33 of the Maryland Terrapins is ejected from the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium on November 24, 2018 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 24: Tre Watson #33 of the Maryland Terrapins is ejected from the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the third quarter at Beaver Stadium on November 24, 2018 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Tre Watson

After spending his first three college seasons at Illinois, Tre Watson transferred over to Maryland an had a great season. Leading the conference in tackles per game (9.6) and second in solo tackles (5.6) which helped earn him Second Team All-Big Ten.

Watson is quick to recognize plays particularly in the run game and when he attacks the line of scrimmage with great physicality. In coverage, he led the conference in interceptions with 5 and even returned one to the house against Minnesota. Interceptions don’t directly translate to good ability in coverage, but watching Watson he appears to be in the right place a majority of the time.

Next. Raiders 7-Round Mock entering Divisional Round. dark

I know most fans want the Raiders to go after a linebacker early in the draft, but there is little in Jon Gruden’s draft history that suggests he values the position that much. Paul Guenther has also been someone who prefers to take linebackers later in the draft, so I’m not holding my breath they take someone like Devin White in the first round. Watson seems like someone who would fit their mindset regarding value and could end up being a worthy pick in April if he shows out this week and test well.

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