For the most part, free agency is over. All of the big fish have been caught, and now teams are mostly signing depth. It’s time for the majority of teams to look forward to the NFL draft. Using Fanspeak’s mock draft generator five times, these were the eight names that came up the most often for the Oakland Raiders. Here is the post-free agency edition of the Oakland Raiders mock draft.
Post-Free Agency Oakland Raiders Mock Draft
Round One, Pick 24: Linebacker, Jarrad Davis, Florida
This is a pick that hasn’t changed since the pre-combine edition of the Raiders mock draft. With Perry Riley still unsigned and Zach Brown lurking in free agency, the Oakland Raiders might just address their tight end need in free agency. However, the silver and black still need help in the front seven, and they could get that in the athletic Jarrad Davis.
Davis missed the combine because of an injury, but he blew scouts away at his pro day. Scouts that were in attendance were shocked by his alarming athleticism, running a 4.56 40 and recording a ridiculous 38.5 vertical leap. But that’s not what makes Davis the perfect Raider.
Jarrad Davis is a leader. On and off the field, Jarrad Davis is a championship human being. Coach Jim McElwain said that he wished all of his players were like Davis. Davis would fit in nicely with guys like Derek Carr in the Raiders locker room.
Round Two, Pick 24: Safety, Obi Melifonwu, University of Connecticut
If Obi Melifonwu is still available when the Raiders pick in the second, they have to take him. Melifonwu is a versatile athlete that could make a huge difference in the secondary. If the Raiders need him to, he could sit behind Reggie Nelson for a season while he polishes his game. Reggie McKenzie and Jack Del Rio love big, raw athletes, and there are few athlete with as much raw potential as Melifonwu in this draft.
Round Three, Pick 24: Corner, Jourdan Lewis, Michigan
In the previous version of this mock, the Raiders selected corner Jourdan Lewis in the second round. However, after an underwhelming combine, his draft stock has slipped a little. While his combine wasn’t fantastic, it wasn’t necessarily bad either. It was just okay.
He’s still exactly what the Oakland Raiders need. He’s got the instincts, hand skills, tackling ability, and mean streak to play in the slot. With Sean Smith and David Amerson solidifying their homes outside, the Raiders need a real nickle corner, and Lewis could be that for them.
Round Four, Pick 22: Wide Receiver, JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC
The best thing about JuJu Smith-Schuster? He’s a fan of the silver and black, and he’s not shy about it. He posted this picture of him, scoring a touchdown in a Raiders jersey in Madden 17 on SnapChat and Twitter.
Madden 17 Lit ?? pic.twitter.com/ByBWXKfEIx
— Juju Smith Schuster (@TEAM_JUJU9) March 21, 2017
Even looking past his obvious love for the team, he’s actually a good fit. Seth Roberts is an unreliable receiver, and as explosive as Cordarrelle Patterson is, he hasn’t panned out as a pure pass-catcher yet.
Smith-Schuster is a physical, mean receiver. His pro comparison is Anquan Boldin, and when you watch film, it’s easy to see why. He’s a ball of muscle and he abuses smaller defenders. He’s the perfect complement for Amari Cooper, and while he could start in the slot, he could eventually take Michael Crabtree’s spot as the team’s second receiver.
Round Five, Pick 24: Defensive Tackle, Ryan Glasgow, Michigan
Ryan Glasgow is a strange prospect. He could be taken as high as the third or as late as the seventh round. He’s not necessarily a pass rusher, but at 6’3, and 300 pounds, he absolutely devours blockers. Adding Glasgow to Oakland’s front seven could only be a good thing. He could help free up space for Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin while taking away the run up the middle.
Round Six, Pick 24: Offensive Tackle, Justin Senior, Mississippi State
The Oakland Raiders have a great offensive line, but there are stormclouds on the horizon. Donald Penn will be 34 when next season starts, and with Menelik Watson leaving inf ree agency, there are questions at right tackle. Denver Kirkland and Vadal Alexander will fight with Austin Howard for the right tackle spot, but the Raiders need some fresh blood at the position. Enter Justin Senior.
At this point, Senior is a project player. He’s a massive athlete, and he has a mean streak, but he needs a ton of work. His footwork is a mess, and sometimes he just looks lost in space. It’s a good thing that the Oakland Raiders have one of the best offensive line coaches in the world in Mike Tice.
Round Seven, Pick 24: Nose Tackle, Josh Tupou, Colorado
Josh Tupou is another player like Ryan Glasgow that could come in and help free up pass rushers. On the field, he’s probably a third or fourth round talent, but off the field issues did a number on his draft stock. While he did have his off the field incident, he doesn’t necessarily come with red flags. And since this is a throwaway pick anyway, the Raiders can risk kicking the tires of a big, disruptive tackle.
Round Seven, Pick 26: Edge Rusher, Deatrich Wise Jr., Arkansas
If the Oakland Raiders draft Deatrich Wise Jr., they’ll have pulled off the draft heist of the century. He’s a big athlete that was receiving first round draft talk before a hand injury derailed his college career. At 6’5, 270 pounds, with a phenomenal motor, he could make a huge impact on an Oakland defense that desperately needs pass rushers. And all they’d have to give up is a seventh round pick.
