Raiders mock drafts: Who’s next in silver and black? There’s not much consensus
The Raiders have made some big moves this offseason.
From hiring a new general manager and saying goodbye to multiple Pro Bowl players to trading for four-time All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown and reaching a deal to remain in Oakland for at least one more year, it’s been quite a busy few months for the silver and black.
In less than a month, they could be the busiest team on the opening day of the 2019 NFL draft, which kicks off April 25 in Nashville, Tenn.
The Raiders have three first-round picks, including No. 4 overall. They also have the 24th and 27th slots acquired in separate trades last season.
So who will Oakland choose with their first pick? There’s not much of a consensus. Here’s a sampling of what analysts think will happen:
ESPN+
Updated March 25
Longtime draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has Alabama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams as Oakland’s pick.
According to his draft profile on NFL.com, “Williams is an instant starter with Pro Bowl potential. ... His play strength is good, but his lack of mass and length will show up at times against NFL competition.”
Kiper: “Jon Gruden & Co. are the other big winners if Murray goes with the first pick. Instead of the top three defensive players coming off the board, at least one of them would be available at No. 4 in this scenario. And with a dire pass rush in 2018, we know the Raiders need help there. Williams (6-foot-3, 303 pounds) is coming off a stellar season and combine, and he’d be an impact player from Day 1 in the middle of the Oakland defense.”
NFL.com
Updated March 26
The league’s official website provides mock drafts from multiple analysts. The latest to check in is Peter Schrager, who likes Ed Oliver, an interior defensive lineman from Houston, as the Raiders’ choice.
His draft profile calls him a “twitched-up ball of explosive fury from the moment he comes out of his stance, but his lack of NFL size and length creates challenges with his NFL projection. Oliver’s athletic ability is beyond rare, but his ability to add and maintain mass could be critical for his future success. ... If Oliver’s frame is maxed out, he might possess the speed, toughness and instincts to transition into an inside linebacker role.”
Schrager: “Leave it to the Raiders to make a bit of a splash – like this one. While everyone’s talking up Quinnen Williams as the top defensive tackle in this draft class, I know of more than one team that points to Oliver as the guy atop the board at the position. With the success of Aaron Donald at his size (6-foot-1, 280 pounds, 31 1/2 sacks in 2017-18), don’t be shocked if Oliver (6-2, 287) ... goes before the more buzzed-about Williams.”
CBS Sports
Updated March 28
Like NFL.com, CBS Sports also offers mocks from multiple analysts. The latest to post is Jared Dubin, who also has Williams going to the Raiders.
Dubin: “The Raiders will be landing a player who is the best down player in this draft. Williams was dominant last season for Alabama.”
USA Today
Updated March 14
Nate Davis has Kentucky edge Josh Allen as the Raiders’ choice. According to NFL.com, Allen is a “true hybrid linebacker with elite physical traits who has the ability to float between coverage and pass rush duties. ... He’s fine-tuned a couple of go-to rush moves but will need to continue to diversify his rush portfolio as a pro.”
Davis: “Oakland has already made a lot of noise on the personnel front. But the Raiders have yet to address their primary deficiency: a pass rush that collected a league-low 13 sacks in 2018 without Khalil Mack. Allen has 31 sacks over the past three seasons, including 17 last year.”
Bleacher Report
Updated March 25
Matt Miller is putting the Raiders on LSU linebacker Devin White.
His draft profile says he’s a “running back convert out of high school who continues to show rapid development as a high-impact linebacker in a physical conference. White is still learning to take on blocks and play with better control/efficiency, but he’s a willing pupil and coaching should improve both areas. White’s work ethic, competitiveness and rare play speed are elements that can’t be taught and should push him into an early starter’s role and a successful NFL career.”
Miller: “Speed at linebacker is still a need. Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden know they’re too slow in the middle of the field. Adding Devin White and passing on Quinnen Williams is possible because the Raiders are so strong at defensive tackle with 2018 draft picks P.J. Hall and Maurice Hurst playing good ball. White is close to perfect at middle linebacker and could have a monster impact from day one.”
Walter Football
Updated March 26
Walter Cherepinsky’s latest update has the Raiders taking a quarterback.
No, not that one.
With Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray already off the board with the top pick, Cherepinsky tabs the Raiders with taking Ohio State’s Dwayne Haskins.
“Big and talented with explosive arm talent but limited mobility, Haskins is a chance-taker with the arm strength to get away with some tight-window throws that most in this class can’t make,” his draft profile reads. “His athletic limitations could keep him pocket-bound, but he has the arm talent, confidence and pocket savvy to become a good NFL starter if he’s protected and given the time to develop early on.”
Cherepinsky: “Haskins has a tremendous skill set, but is not a finished product at the moment. However, with (Oregon’s) Justin Herbert going back to school, he’s the top quarterback prospect in this class after Kyler Murray.”
The Ringer
Updated March 15
Danny Kelly expects Mississippi State edge Montez Sweat to don the silver and black.
According to Sweat’s draft profile, he’s a player “with above-average length and a prospect who should continue to grow into his frame, allowing him to unleash his rush flashes into a consistent attack. His transition as an NFL rusher will take some time, but ... he should come out on the other side as a good, impact starter as an every-down edge defender.”
Kelly calls Sweat a “high-cut defensive end who knows how to use his Mister Fantastic wingspan and extraordinary explosiveness to beat blocks” and says he has shades of Danielle Hunter, a four-year defensive end with the Minnesota Vikings who got his first Pro Bowl nod last season.
This story was originally published March 29, 2019 at 2:50 PM.