The Oakland Raiders need help on defense. Whether it’s personnel or coaching, the Oakland Raiders can not field the same defense that they did in 2016, expecting to make a deep playoff run. Oakland needs help with interior defenders, linebackers, and defensive backs. The Raiders would like to sign someone like Tony Jefferson, but if they can’t, they should take a look at Obi Melifonwu.
The Oakland Raiders Should Draft Obi Melifonwu
Disclaimer
This article was written immediately after the combine and before free agency started. Any moves that the Raiders make Thursday afternoon could completely destroy the meaning of this article. Proceed with that in mind.
Need
Reggie Nelson is an interesting player. He had an abysmal 2016, but he still managed to pull five interceptions and make the Pro Bowl. However, these two stats aren’t unrelated. Nelson likes to creep up towards the line of scrimmage, and he often abandons his designated coverage to go after passes.
Upside? He gets interceptions. Downside? He gets beat. And when he’s on the same side of the ball as the slow, misused Sean Smith, things get ugly. The Oakland Raiders missed out of the Eric Berry sweepstakes, and while they’d like to add Jefferson, the Raiders need an upgrade in the secondary.
Workout Warrior
There’s no hiding the truth, Obi Melifonwu had an insane combine. At 6’4, 219 pounds, Melifonwu is a tall, lanky defensive back, and he went nuts in Indianapolis. He ran a 4.40 40 yard dash, recorded a 44 inch vertical, and pulled off a 141 inch broad jump. At his size, Obi Melifonwu is a monster of an athlete, and his stock is going to skyrocket post-combine.
The Player
Despite being a lanky guy, Melifonwu is a good run-support safety. He’s an aggressive tackler and he uses his size and speed to take down ball-carriers. His length and insane athletic ability make him a great deep safety as well. He can employ his exceptional closing speed to break on plays deep, breaking up passes. Melifonwu is such a dynamic athlete that he can move around the defense, playing corner if he has to.
Obi Melifonwu needs a little coaching before he can be an elite defender in the NFL, but there’s no season he can’t step in and make a big difference right away. The best thing about Melifonwu is that before the combine, he had a third round grade. Even with the great combine, it’s unlikely that he’s going in the first round. Melifonwu will likely hear his name called somewhere in round two, and that’s exactly where the Raiders should look to select him.
