Third Round
- Round 3, Pick No. 80: Lynn Bowden Jr., RB/WR, Kentucky
Adding Bowden to the offense creates a huge unknown for the opposition. He’s played quarterback, running back and wide receiver during his playing days at Kentucky. However, Mayock said after day two of the draft, he’ll start out as a running back for the Raiders and will be utilized in a multitude of ways.
Bowden is a unique talent, to say the least. He is the only SEC player in the last 20 years to post a season of 300 passing yards, 300 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards. Additionally, he’s also returned kicks and punts, averaging over 20 yards per return in both areas of his game.
With Boden’s swiss army knife ability, he should be a fun project for Gruden to use in several ways, potentially a similar role that the New Orleans Saints use Taysom Hill.
- Round 3, Pick No. 81: Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina
Gruden and Mayock kept on stockpiling the playmakers on offense and with the 81st pick, Edwards provides the Raiders with a physical x receiver. He’s not someone that’ll run right by defenders like Ruggs’ skillset but Edwards delivers a rare brand of finesse and aggression.
Last season, the Raiders offense experienced some hiccups as they neared toward the goal line. Edwards will be a target that should get a lot of looks inside the red zone, using his large frame to his advantage to box out defenders. Carr has shown to connect quickly with receivers who are physical at the point of attack and sure-handed catchers such as Michael Crabtree, and Edwards demonstrates a similar type.
He finished his senior season with 71 receptions for 816 yards and six touchdowns. His 234 catches over four seasons rank the third-most in the SEC history. Raiders found themselves a possession receiver with a knack for the crucial catch.
- Round 3, Pick No. 100: Tanner Muse, LB/S, Clemson
With their first pick spent on the defensive side of the ball, the Raiders added a versatile defender who can play multiple linebacker positions and safety. Muse played safety more than any other position in college but Mayock made it know after rounds two and three that Muse will start out being a special teamer while learning the will and mike linebacker positions.
He was a Thorpe Award semifinalist, third-team AP All-American, first-team All-ACC selection and voted a team captain. Muse tallied 73 tackles, six for a loss, two sacks, five pass breakups and a team-leading four interceptions over 669 snaps as a 15-game starter.
With the free-agent signings of Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski, as well as the services of Nicholas Morrow, Muse is someone who’ll add depth to a re-built unit on the roster.