P.J. Hall trade further condemns Raiders 2018 NFL Draft class

P.J. Hall trade further condemns Raiders 2018 NFL Draft class

The Good: Kolton Miller, Maurice Hurst, Marcell Ateman

We would be remiss not to mention two players from the 2018 class that have actually contributed to the Raiders since their selections. Kolton Miller was taken 15th overall out of UCLA to be the franchise’s cornerstone left tackle, and he struggled mightily in his first season with injuries and general ineptitude.

The 2019 offseason was huge for Miller as he worked on his body and became a dependable player for the Raiders last season. He was not quite Pro Bowl level, but he was no longer the turnstile that he was in his rookie season.

The Raiders have high hopes for Miller and think he can be a franchise tackle.

Maurice “Mo” Hurst had the pedigree and college career to be an early round pick, but a heart condition had teams worried so he was available for the Raiders to snatch him up in the 5th round. For a player selected 140th overall, he has been incredibly productive and the team deserves kudos for taking a chance on him.

In two seasons he has played in 29 games, recording 49 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, and even a memorable interception against the Tennessee Titans. Hurst is a serviceable defensive tackle and provides the Raiders with a solid pass rush up the middle.

Lastly, Marcell Ateman was an afterthought in the 7th round, but he has stuck around the team as he bounced back and forth from the practice squad to the active roster. He has not lit up the stat sheet by any stretch but for a player selected that late, staying in the NFL for three years is an achievement.

Ateman is a gamer but he is not enough to tip the scales in favor of this draft class.