The off-season is well and truly underway. Raider fans everywhere are building lists in their heads of quality free agents to sign. And of course, this weekend the combine starts in Indianapolis. Those players lucky enough to get an invite will be taking every possible chance to provide 32 teams that they have what it takes.
Oakland Raiders Off-Season Strategy: Early Draft Thinking
So which players should Raider fans pay attention to during the combine weekend? Undoubtably the Raiders biggest needs are on defense. And there is none bigger than someone to cover tight ends and receivers out of the back field. Oakland’s linebackers were a liability in pass coverage, a huge problem on third downs and in the red zone. And whilst the run defense improved once Karl Joseph got on the field, it certainly felt like the Raiders could have done with a three down, dominating linebacker.
First Round Selection
So a first round selection of Zach Cunningham, the linebacker from Vanderbilt, would seem to make a lot of sense. Tough against the run and solid in pass coverage, Cunningham would be an immediate upgrade. But Reggie McKenzie is from the Ron Wolfe school of front office management. He’s unlikely to draft a middle linebacker early, as the belief is that there will be good value to be had later in the draft.
So, instead, how about an explosive Michigan play-maker who also plays offense and special teams as well as defense. Jabril Peppers is not the second coming of Charles Woodson, as his coverage skills are simply not in the same league. But he is a freakish athlete who could well drop in the draft because of concerns over exactly what position he’d play.
This would be an ideal scenario for the Raiders. A player who could play safety on early downs but move to linebacker on passing downs. He can blitz, he can stop the run and he can cover. He would immediately make the middle of our defense better at all three levels. And having a playmaker to help return punts is always an added bonus. Some mock drafts have him going much earlier in the round, others have him sliding all the way to the Patriots. It would be great for him to find his way to Oakland.
Second Round Selection
Lots of people would be keen on drafting a defensive tackle in the first round. And Jack Del Rio has said interior pressure is something he wants to see more of. But this draft is deep in defensive tackles and a quality pick should still be on the board by the time the Raiders draft in round two.
The player I’m watching closely here is Montravius Adams from Auburn. He’s shown great pass rushing ability from interior positions and had a good Senior Bowl. He’s capable of ruining plays with his size and sheer will. Check out the goal line stand against Ole Miss about 7 minutes into this video. He’s big enough to consistently demand double-teams, and that would make the players around him better.
Third Round Selection
There’s every indication that the Raiders will let Latavious Murray test free agency. If he gets a high offer, then it’s unlikely he’s coming back to the Raiders. Yes, Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington offer great change of pace options. But losing Murray should mean running back becomes a day two priority for the Silver and Black.
It’s a deep class this year and a player who could well offer real value is Jamaal Williams from BYU. Yes, he missed a year after leaving the team following an unspecified violation of team rules. But he also returned to the team for his senior year. Where he averaged an insane 5.9 yards per carry, rushing for 1,375 yards and 12 touchdowns. He might not be much of a receiving threat, but he’s a tough back that will make yards after contact. He would be a great replacement for Murray, and if you watch these highlights you might be wondering if he’s still going to be available in the third round.
Forth Round Selection
Slot receiver and tight end are both arguably needs that the Raiders might look to address late on day two of the draft. A quality third receiver might just take the edge as the staff continue to evaluate the progression of tight end Clive Walford.
If this is the case, look for Amara Darboh from Michigan. Not as quick as you’d usually like for a slot receiver, but he’s a good route runner with reasonable hands and experience in a pro-style offense. Darboh’s selection would allow the Raiders to move their receiving pieces around more, placing Cooper or Crabtree in the slot on some downs. He’d also be a valuable red zone weapon. As Darboh – an orphan from the Sierra Leone civil war – only moved to the US as a seven year old, this would also be a tremendous feel good story. But that’s certainly not the only reason to draft him. A great vertical leap, and an ability to haul in difficult catches are some of the skills he’s likely to bring.
If Darboh runs a great 40 time at the combine, then he might go well earlier than the forth round. In which case, look for Taywan Taylor from Western Kentucky. Arguably more physically talented than Darboh, he’s got huge hands and fast feet and would be a true slot receiver. However, in other ways he’s less ready for the NFL and his skills don’t transition as well. Expect to see gadget plays to get him involved whilst he learns to run routes to the quality necessary at the professional level. As this film of his game against Alabama shows he can make gritty, tough catches but also can make drops at critical moments. He’d also need to step up his work in the run game. Still, you’d be drafting a player who could have an immediate impact on a game, and he would be a solid selection.
One More To Keep An Eye On
Anthony Walker, the inside linebacker from Northwestern. He came to attention in 2015 when he lead the team in tackles with 122 of them. His highlights from that year’s campaign are impressive, as he shows real speed and burst to close down plays before they can develop. In 2016, it seems he might have put on a little too much weight, which limited his athletic ability. In the right team, with the right strength and conditioning coaches – and are there any better than in Oakland? – he could easily recapture his 2015 form.
