Everybody watches the NFL Draft to see where the big name players will end up. There are a lot of teams in the league, but never enough talent. The people in charge of drafting players don’t always get it right. With every draft comes draft busts. Not every player ends up panning out. Every once in a while, a team will get a steal. A steal is beneficial to both the player and the team drafting him. Every year, NFL teams hope that good players will fall so they can scoop them up. There are plenty of players that could be potential draft steals for the Oakland Raiders.
Three Potential Draft Steals For The Oakland Raiders
Duke Riley
Former LSU linebacker Duke Riley has done a great job during the draft process. Riley posted fantastic numbers at the NFL Combine. At the combine, Riley displayed his explosive athleticism and tremendous speed. The Raiders are in desperate need of a game-changing linebacker. Riley has all of the tools to be a starter at the next level, and versatile enough to play inside or outside. Duke Riley is expected to get drafted anywhere from the 2nd to 4th round. The Raiders currently have an extremely thin linebacker corps, and need to fill the roster with more defensive talent. Oakland could use a playmaker like Duke Riley to bolster the defense.
James Conner
The story of Pitt running back James Conner is truly phenomenal. Conner overcame cancer and is now about to start his NFL career. There is more to James Conner than his inspiring story. James Conner is also a great football player. During Conner’s career, he was known as a physical pounder. The tough yards and a lot of contact were no problem for him. With Latavius Murray now gone, the Raiders need another running back. James Conner could come in right away and be the physical runner the Raiders are looking for. This year’s running back class is one of the best in a long time, and because of that, Conner could slip into later rounds. Oakland would be getting a strong runner if they draft James Conner.
Josh Jones
Safety Josh Jones is a special type of player. While at North Carolina State, Jones showed off his rare size and speed combination. At 6’2″ and over 200 pounds, Jones is able to cover tight ends and be a force against the run. Josh Jones put up big time numbers in college. In 3 years, Jones tallied over 200 total tackles and 7 interceptions. Versatility is always a great thing, and Jones is plenty versatile. Jones lines up all over the field and can fit in virtually any defense. Pairing Josh Jones with another versatile safety like Karl Joseph makes a lot of sense. Both players can change roles back and forth and still be productive. Jones is expected to go in the mid to late rounds, and if that’s the case, he would be a great fit for the Raiders.
In Conclusion
There are plenty of talented players in this year’s draft with potential to be great players. With so many potential draft steals, it’s important for Oakland to do their homework and continue to add to an already great team.
