Raiders loaded with draft capital entering 2020 NFL Draft

After hitting a home run during the 2019 NFL Draft, the Raiders currently hold five of the first 90 selections in the 2020 NFL Draft next April.

During the 2019 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders held three first round picks, and much of the rumors surrounding the team were that they would trade some away to move up and get Kyler Murray at No. 1 overall. Smartly, the organization held onto their three first round picks, bringing in impact players, one who could be the league’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Overall, the Raiders 2019 draft class was elite, as they got contributions from seemingly every player. Josh Jacobs became an absolute star at running back, the defensive end combo of Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell helped bolster a group that had only 13 sacks a year ago, and second round cornerback Trayvon Mullen looks like a true CB1.

In addition, wide receiver Hunter Renfrow had an outstanding close to his season, and was an automatic player on third down all season long. Incredibly, the team only got one game out of first rounder Johnathan Abram, who is supposed to come back healthy next season and be a cornerstone in the defensive backfield.

Looking ahead to the 2020 NFL Draft, where the franchise will be known as the Las Vegas Raiders, it is clear to see  they have a ton of draft capital remaining. Not only do they pick twice in the first round, but they also hold five of the first 90 selections entering Wild Card weekend, setting general manager Mike Mayock up for another haul next April.

The two first round picks are locked in entering the playoffs, as they hold the No. 12 overall selection, which they earned on their own, and the No. 19 pick, which they got from the Chicago Bears for Khalil Mack. Oakland also had a first round pick in 2019 from the Bears, which they used to select Jacobs, who had a historic rookie season.

The 2019 Raiders improved from four wins in 2018, to seven wins this season, and really had a chance to be a playoff team ten games in. A four-game losing streak proved to be too much to overcome, but you have to be happy with where this franchise is moving forward.

In the 2020 NFL Draft, the Raiders have to fill in some major holes, including at the wide receiver and linebacker spots. All signs point to the team making Derek Carr their quarterback once again in 2020, so that enables the franchise to hone in on positions of need, and this is a pretty loaded draft class.

With five selections in the first 90 picks, Mayock can do some serious damage, as the Raiders look to become playoff contenders in their first season in Las Vegas. Remember, they made huge strides in areas of need in 2019, and with a couple more pieces in the puzzle, a ten-win season is not out of the realm of possibility in 2020.