Each Wednesday, we will take a look around at some mock drafts heading into the 2019 NFL Draft, where the Oakland Raiders hold three first round picks.
The 2018 NFL season is officially in the rearview mirror, and with the Oakland Raiders holding three first round picks this April, the focus has shifted to the 2019 NFL Draft. Oakland will have the No. 4 overall pick in the first round, and should look to add an edge rusher, as they were historically bad at getting after the quarterback in 2018.
The rest of the first round could go a number of different ways, as there are plenty of holes to fill moving into the new season. With this being mock draft season, we have decided to scour the internet and take a look at who the experts think the Raiders will be taking with their three first round picks.
Here is a quick rundown of some of the latest 2019 NFL mock drafts.
Chad Reuter (NFL.com)
In his first NFL mock draft of the year, NFL.com’s Chad Reuter takes a shot at who the Raiders could take with their three first round picks. He likes Oakland to stay on the defensive side of the ball, selecting Michigan’s Rashan Gary at No. 4 overall, and then Georgia CB DeAndre Baker (24), and Delaware safety Nasir Adderley (27).
Will Brinson (CBSSports.com)
Will Brinson released his latest 2019 NFL mock draft on Wednesday, and he also likes the Raiders taking Rashan Gary with the No. 4 overall pick. Later in round one, he has the Silver and Black focusing on the offensive side of the ball, selecting NC State wideout Kelvin Harmon at No. 24, and Iowa tight end Noah Fant at No. 27.
Kristopher Knox (Bleacher Report)
The folks over at Bleacher Report also like the Raiders to select Rashan Gary with the No. 4 overall pick, in a move that is starting to really pick up steam. Gary does fill a need in this Raiders defense, as does Kristopher Knox’s other two first rounders for Oakland, Clemson cornerback Trayvon Mullen (24), and Alabama running back Josh Jacobs (27).
WalterFootball (Charlie Campbell)
In their latest 2019 NFL mock, updated on February 6, Charlie Campbell from WalterFootball.com has the Raiders taking Michigan edge rusher Rashan Gary at No. 4 as well. After Gary at No. 4, the site has the team staying on the defensive side of the ball, selecting DeAndre Baker from Georgia at No. 24, and Mississippi State safety Johnathan Abram at No. 27.
DraftWire, USA Today (Luke Easterling)
Luke Easterling from DraftWire likes the Raiders to trade away the No. 4 overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who in turn select Dwayne Haskins, quarterback from Ohio State. With the Jaguars No. 7 selection, Oakland takes LSU linebacker Devin White, who would be a nice addition to the middle of the team’s defense. The Raiders get their edge rusher at No. 24, selecting Mississippi State’s Montez Sweat, and close the first by selecting Noah Fant at No. 27.
The Raiders have a golden opportunity to revamp this roster in April, as they not only have three first rounders, but six of the first 100 picks in the draft. With cap space to spend, and draft capital to utilize, the 2019 Raiders will look a lot different than the 2018 bunch that finished 4-12.