The 2017 draft is coming up in less than two months. With the Combine wrapping up, teams are hunkering down to make the big decisions. For the Oakland Raiders, some needs can be filled in free agency. With almost $50 million in cap space to spend, it seems they can find a fix to some of their challenges from 2016.
Bank account balance aside, budgeting is going to factor into the Raiders’ decisions. With a couple of large contracts on the horizon, that cap space diminishes. Oakland is left with the difficult decision of picking up some big name free-agents, which are surplus as of now. Or do they focus on the draft? With trades going on down on the draft floor all the time, it’s possible that Reggie McKenzie and crew will make some deals to move up a little and get a higher prized rookie.
The Raiders’ particular needs may still allow them to draft a potential superstar even at #24 in round one, and continue to move down the checklist. Most mock drafts show the Raiders taking a defensive end/tackle in the first round, and Caleb Brantley is a name that stands out as a first round pick.
Why the Oakland Raiders Should Draft Caleb Brantley
Caleb Brantley-Defensive Tackle, Florida
Caleb Brantley may not seem the right size for a defensive tackle in the NFL, but his build makes up for that. He stands 6’2″, relatively small for an interior defensive lineman. But at 314 pounds, he’s a solid mountain of a man. He’s mobile and when he can’t go around, he goes through or over. More often through than around.
Best Defensive Tackle in the country
Caleb Brantley in not short on swagger. He made a statement in his junior year that he was “the best defensive tackle in the country.” His numbers and awards gave Brantley a firm argument for that. According to the NFL’s draft profile, he racked up honors, records, and accolades throughout his college career thus far.
Watching some film of Brantley brings to mind a very flattering comparison. Watch Brantley move through a line and shed blocks like he’s taking off a jacket. He looks like he was born to play the game. His ability to get to his target and take down runner and quarterback alike are reminiscent of a young Khalil Mack.
It’s early, and some would say sacrilege, to parallel anyone to Khalil Mack. Normally you would have no disagreement from me. And breaking down Brantley’s play is an important part of the decision-making process. The comparison becomes clear when you look at film from Mack’s rookie year.
The Beginning of the Raiders Defensive Dominance
From the edge of a line, Mack is deadly. Brantley shows similar force from the middle, which is an area that Oakland is lacking. He’s low, lean, and flexible enough to duck and dodge to get to his target. If he can wrangle his explosiveness in the Raiders 3-4 scheme, the combination of Khalil Mack, Bruce Irvin and Caleb Brantley could spell trouble for opposing o-lines and their charges.
