Oakland Raiders: 5 players to target at No. 35 overall

By Sanjit T. | Apr 4, 2019

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Irv Smith Jr. #82 of the Alabama Crimson Tide carries the ball against the Oklahoma Sooners during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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SANTA CLARA, CA – JANUARY 07: Irv Smith Jr. #82 of the Alabama Crimson Tide carries the ball against the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Levi’s Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Irv Smith Jr., TE, Alabama

Jared Cook has signed with the New Orleans Saints. It’s time the Raiders draft their future tight end. Typically tight ends don’t go too high in the draft unless they are dual players, which is something Jared Cook was not.

He was great at receiving, but couldn’t block. The only real dual threat tight end this year is Iowa’s T.J. Hockenson, who many believe will be picked within the first 15 picks this April. Outside of Hockenson, teammate Noah Fant may be the only other first rounder.

The next closest to T.J. is Alabama’s Irv Smith Jr. The Crimson Tide tight end can block well and is a threat in the receiving game as well. Of course, he will have to keep improving his blocking. If Smith Jr. does fall in the draft, it won’t be much. But there is a chance the Raiders can take him at pick 35.

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