It is officially NFL mock draft season, and we take a look at who the experts have the Oakland Raiders picking at No. 4 overall in 2019.
The Oakland Raiders currently hold the No. 4 overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft, and should utilize the selection on an edge rusher. Oakland was historically bad at getting after the quarterback last season, registering only 13 sacks, led by rookie Maurice Hurst with four.
Prior to the 2018 season, Oakland traded away Khalil Mack, sending the generational talent to the Chicago Bears for draft picks. Without Mack, the team was slated to lean on veteran Bruce Irvin, who was basically a no-show all season long, and ended up being released by the team mid-year.
As we inch closer to the 2019 Draft, mock drafts have been flying in from all over, and the experts are undecided on where the Raiders will go with the fourth overall pick. Let us take a look at a couple of them.
CBSSports.com
Chris Trapasso from CBSSports.com released a mock draft this past week that has the Raiders going with an edge rusher in Clelin Ferrell from Clemson. Ferrell is widely considered one of the better pass rushers in this draft class, and is coming off a dominant final season with the Tigers. He would slide right in as a starter in 2019.
NBCSports.com
The NBCSports.com mock draft also has the Raiders taking an edge rusher, though they have the Silver and Black going with Josh Allen from Kentucky. Ben Stading puts Allen at No. 4 based on his breakout season in 2018, that saw him get after the quarterback more times (14) than the Raiders did as a team last season (13).
The Draft Wire at USA Today
Luke Easterling from Draft Wire published his most recent mock draft, and he has the Raiders going with an interior defensive lineman instead of an edge rusher. Easterling likes the Silver and Black to target Ed Oliver, who is an elite defensive tackle, and has the ability to really disrupt the action in the backfield.
NFL.com
Bucky Brooks released his first NFL Mock draft this week, and had the Raiders selecting Rashan Gary from Michigan at No. 4 overall. Gary is an interesting prospect, as he has the size to play in the middle, and the athleticism to play on the edge, so adding him would definitely bolster the defensive line. WalterFootball.com also has the Raiders taking Gary at No. 4.
Of course, there is the possibility that the Raiders trade the No. 4 pick, as they could trade down in the first round and still get an elite edge rushers. Teams behind them like the Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, and New York Giants all need quarterbacks, so there is a realistic chance the Raiders first pick comes after No. 4 in April.