D.K. Metcalf has been the biggest riser during this year’s NFL combine. Initially projected as a fringe first-round pick, Metcalf’s combine performance has shot him up draft boards, getting the attention of the New York Jets, who have the number three pick in this year’s draft. There is a void at wide receiver for the Oakland Raiders and mutual interest. If Al Davis were alive, he’d probably insist on taking Metcalf with the fourth overall pick. While this might not be the best decision for the Silver and Black, the Raiders should try to do whatever they can to draft the big-bodied receiver.

The Oakland Raiders Need to Do All They Can to Draft D.K. Metcalf

Ridiculous Measurables

Just looking at Metcalf, it is obvious he is a physical freak of nature. At 6’3″ and 225 pounds, he is built like a linebacker. He conjures up images of some of the more physical wide receivers like Terrell Owens or Calvin Johnson. Now after the combine, his hype has only grown, and with it, his draft stock.

He was measured to have less than two percent body fat, meaning he is all 225 pounds of muscle. He used it to put up 27 reps on the bench press. The next closest wide receiver managed just 15. However, he then capped off a masterful performance by running a 4.33 40 time, which seems almost impossible for a man his size. For those that want to see the big man run, check out the footage below:

At 6’3″ and 228 lbs, D.K. Metcalf put up an INSANE 40-yard dash time ?

?: NFL Network pic.twitter.com/tlQ9HOM1LL

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 2, 2019

Seems to be Mutual Interest

Even before Metcalf’s magical 40-yard run, head coach Jon Gruden seemed to be drooling over him. Gruden was asked a question about how he evaluates defensive backs, but he somehow brought up Metcalf in his response, noting how he is the biggest wide receiver he has ever seen. He went further than that, comparing him to former Raider great, Tim Brown.

There also seems to be mutual interest. Metcalf spoke about his experience meeting Gruden, and new general manager Mike Mayock, calling it a “great experience.” He said he felt he could be himself around the two, something that is necessary for optimal production from a player.

Concern Over College Production Could Make Him Drop Draft Day

Metcalf will undoubtedly experience a surge in his draft stock after his pro day, but his draft stock is still relatively volatile. This is mostly because he was not exactly the most productive college wide receiver. In 2017, he only caught 39 balls for 646 yards. His senior year, he only appeared in seven games, catching 26 passes for 569 yards. He did put up 12 touchdowns during that span, however.

The other thing that scares teams is the injury he suffered to his neck that ended his final college season. Obviously, it seems to be behind him now, as he was cleared for contact, and was full-go at the combine.

The question now is just where Metcalf goes. Initially, he had a late first-round grade on him. This looked perfect for Oakland, who owns the 24^th, and 27^th pick in this draft via trade. They also own the number four selection. This makes things tricky. It really doesn’t make a ton of sense to take Metcalf with the fourth overall pick with so much top-end pass rushing talent this year. However, there is still time for the Metcalf hype to die down before the draft, and his stock to level out.

Should he fall to them with one of their late first-round picks, it would be a no-brainer to select him. The team may even consider moving up to draft him if he’s still there in the middle of the first.

Visions of Old School Raiders

Many Raider fans have already been watching Metcalf closely since wide receiver is obviously a need after trading away former first-round pick, Amari Cooper. As of now, Jordy Nelson, who will be 34 by the time the 2019 season kicks off is their starting wide receiver. When Gruden mentioned Metcalf in the same sentence as Tim Brown, that definitely got people’s attention.

Sure, Oakland could use their three first-round picks on defense, but they also might not. After all, during Gruden’s first stint as head coach, he fielded one of the top offenses in football with Brown, Jerry Rice, and Rich Gannon. Since Oakland already has a quarterback with a big arm in Derek Carr, perhaps Gruden really “kicks it old school” this year and goes all in on offense. Heck, maybe if Metcalf is there at 24, Gruden pulls the trigger. Then, if he wants to truly make waves, he trades away the 27^th pick for another Brown – Antonio Brown.

Hey, it could happen.

Oh, and perhaps the best quote from Metcalf came when he was asked about 50-50 balls:

D.K. Metcalf calls 50-50 balls 99-1 balls. He said the 1% he doesn’t catch are probably because the quarterback makes a bad throw.

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) March 1, 2019

If that isn’t enough to get Raider fans salivating, nothing will.

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