Oakland Raiders quick reaction NFL Draft grades 2019: Foster Moreau

With the No. 137 pick in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders selected LSU tight end Foster Moreau, and here is the grade.

The Oakland Raiders saw their leading receiver over the past two seasons leave via free agency this offseason, as tight end Jared Cook signed on with the New Orleans Saints. For Derek Carr, Cook was a constant for the offense, serving as a security blanket when things went wrong.

Heading into the 2019 offseason, the Raiders knew they would have to address the position, and they do have some solid talent there already. Oakland brought in Luke Willson to join a group that included Darren Waller, Lee Smith, and Derek Carrier, so there is no shortage of players there.

However, they needed to add a solid pass-catcher to the mix, and they did so with the No. 137 overall selection in the fourth round. That pick was Foster Moreau from LSU, who did not put up huge numbers during his time with the Tigers, but has all the talent you look for in a pass-catching tight end.

The Raiders are methodically drafting for needs, and this is certainly one that fits that bill.

Why the pick makes sense

The Raiders needed to add a pass-catching tight end, and they did just that by bringing in Foster Moreau from LSU. He has good speed, nice hands, and is a solid blocker as well. In addition, he has great size, standing at 6-foot-4, and will be a solid compliment to the other tight ends in this position group.

How the pick helps the team

Tight end was a position of need heading into the 2019 NFL Draft, and the Raiders got great value with this pick in the fourth round. Prior to Day 3, we liked Moreau as a possible target for the Silver and Black, and they pulled the trigger on the selection after moving down two spots in a trade with the Atlanta Falcons.

Moreau is the kind of player who can be a real menace in the middle of the field, and he has great speed for a guy his size. Carr loves to rely on the tight ends when things break down, and in Moreau, he will have a weapon he can count on.

Grade: A

I really like this pick, as Moreau was a guy we had our eyes on for a while now. In Jon Gruden’s offense, the main tight end has to not only be able to catch the ball, but be a solid run blocker. In addition, he has the kind of leadership quality this regime is building the roster on, as he served as a team captain for LSU.