Oakland Raiders: 4 things we learned from Jon Gruden Thursday
By Brad Weiss
![ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden speaks during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden speaks during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F01-2F903070700-oakland-raiders-introduce-jon-gruden-jpg-c7a4bc9222859027e7dd2aa6455f01471da0f3c19a4cd439a049fca11fbd5b7d.jpg)
May draft another Defensive Tackle
During the 2018 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders invested heavily at the defensive tackle position, drafting P.J. Hall in the second round, and then Maurice Hurst in the fifth. Both players played exceptionally well as rookies, and will be cornerstones of this defense moving forward.
When it comes to the position group as a whole, there is good depth, especially with the team signing Justin Ellis to an extension last offseason. Still, the Raiders were rough against the run during the 2018 NFL season, and Gruden did not rule out the team bringing in more talent at the position in 2019.
There are a bunch of solid defensive tackles in this draft class, including Alabama’s Quinnen Williams, who could be available to the Raiders at No. 4 overall. It would be surprising that the team would use their first pick on the position, but remember, they hold a lot of draft capital, and could get creative in the later rounds.