The Oakland Raiders saw what D.K. Metcalf did at the NFL Scouting Combine on Friday and Saturday, and now the question is whether they should take him at No. 4.
The Oakland Raiders have a serious need at the wide receiver position heading into next season, and I think a question that a lot of Raider Nation is asking after today is “Should the Raiders take Ole Miss WR DK Metcalf with the 4th overall pick in this years draft?”
It’s a question I’ve had since watching every one of his snaps in college. It’s a question I’ve been asking myself since I saw this post from AJ Brown and similar pictures like it. It’s a question after he spoke at the podium and seemed genuine and real and didn’t seem like the moment was too big for him.
Now it is a very serious question I’ve been asking since I saw him put up 27 reps of 225lbs yesterday, and then today, after he ran a 4.33 40-yard-dash.
Here’s my answer… No.
Not at 4th overall. It hurts me to say that because I’m an Ole Miss alum, and, as I said, I watched Metcalf play his entire career. He was in high school when I was in Oxford, and I remember hearing stories about him tearing it up, and then freaking out when he signed to come play.
So, when I say, “No,” it’s not because I don’t want him on my team. It’s because, in my opinion, picking him at 4 is not a good pick in terms of value and what can help your team win.
In my opinion, there are three “top-tier” defensive talents in this draft: Nick Bosa, Josh Allen, and Quentin Williams. After them, there is a drop off. It may not be that steep, but the drop off is there. Unfortunately, the Raiders pick at number four.
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This means that if no quarterback is taken in the top three picks of the draft, I believe the Raiders don’t have a shot at one of those guys. And that brings us back to our question…
If Oakland has no shot at the top three defensive players in this draft, should they pull the trigger on DK Metcalf? My answer is still no. The correct answer in that situation, for me, is to trade back later in the top ten, and see how it falls. Even then, the Raiders should consider Montez Sweat or Rashan Gary before the consider taking a receiver.
The values a just different. The Oakland defense needs pass-rushers. They need to force 3rd and 7+’s and get off the field. Pass rushers, and defense in general, are game finishers — and one of the main problems with the Raiders a year ago was that they didn’t finish games in the second half.
The Raiders also have big holes on offense, but if we look at the history of the league, there are so many good receivers taken outside of the first round. One in particular, the Raiders might even trade for, but that’s another article for another day.
There aren’t a lot of good late-round pass rushers like there are receivers. In the world of economics, supply drives demand, and so it does in the NFL draft, as well.
So, where’s the good news? This that this draft is deep with defensive and wide receiver talent, and those happen to be the Raiders biggest needs. If Gruden and Mayock play this right, they can come away with quite a haul that will turn this team around sooner rather than later.