It’s that time of the year once again. The ever-popular offseason of the NFL is alive and well. This is the first installment of mock drafts for this highly imperative time to help fix what ails the Raiders problems. Here is a sneak peek of what Jon Gruden and his brass hope to accomplish come late April in Nashville.
Raiders 2 Round Mock Draft 1.0
Round 1 Pick 4
Quinnen Williams DT Alabama
In this scenario the Silver & Black select the best player available. Williams is an interior disrupting presence who resides in the opponent’s backfield. He demands double teams and is motivated by the loss of his mother to be the best. He possesses effortless-like power rush moves that few can handle. The Crimson Tide star has rare talent that can turn into a generational type of player if coached properly.
The No. 1 player in college football this season was Quinnen Williams.
For the whole list of top 101 college players (via @PFF_Cam) 📰 📰 :https://t.co/xbZPlE4Z8B pic.twitter.com/NRlw2NgrUo
— PFF (@PFF) January 11, 2019
Some would question that he is a one year wonder and Oakland doesn’t need another defensive tackle. Remember that Gruden signed a multitude of interior lineman throughout the season to find ways to help the entire defense. Williams fits that mold as he finished eighth in the Heisman voting and is an instant upgrade over the journeymen who saw action in 2018. He’d be able to start immediately or play in rotation with Hall, Hurst and Ellis. If the Raiders were able to sign an elite edge rusher via free agency, then it makes this pick look even better. A youthful defensive line with tons of skills for new coach Brenston Buckner would be a dream come true for him.
Round 1 Pick 24
N’keal Harry WR Arizona State
The most pro level ready pass catcher on tape. A serious red zone threat who scored 22 times in college. Three years of solid production for the four star recruit out of Arizona. Already looks like an NFL wideout with a 6’4” frame that screams mismatch for the opposing secondary. He can return punts if needed to as well. Harry has superb speed, can make the defender miss with nifty moves and can catch balls that most cannot. He’s a willing blocker who fights corner’s on running calls and should want to learn how to get better at it. Altogether the Raiders would do backflips if the ex Sun Devil lasts this long, because Harry has top 10 abilities written all over him.
HOW!? pic.twitter.com/vRPe3JrLcw
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 28, 2018
Round 1 Pick 27
Jaylon Ferguson DE Louisiana Tech
The all time NCAA career sack leader bypassing future Hall of Famer Terrell Suggs. The sack machine finished his senior campaign with 17.5 sacks (tied for first with LB Josh Allen from Kentucky). 2.5 sacks in his final collegiate contest in Hawaii and 14.5 in his sophomore year as a Bulldog. At 6’5”, Ferguson is already built like an NFL ready defensive end who can lineup at either end spot and obtain pressure on quarterbacks. He registered very noticeable efforts against SEC foes when his school got the chances to matchup with the inferior competition. Must get coached up a bit to get maximum efficiency of the Bulldog standout on every snap. Again, if Oakland can secure a top free agent pass rusher, then this selection will make their defensive front one of the most loaded lines in the NFL.
Round 2 Pick 35
T.J. Hockenson TE Iowa
The factory of Iowa tight ends continues. Hockenson is the Mackey Award winner who played with Noah Fant, a fellow tight end who will hear his name called early as well. Only a sophomore, Hockenson has room to grow. He knows how to block and has some quiet athleticism too. A 4.7 forty yard dash can be improved upon at the combine, but he plays fast enough on the field. Adding another playmaker for Derek Carr at 6’5” will only create more problems for defenses to worry about. If Jared Cook leaves in free agency, than Hockenson would be a welcome sight to the Silver & Black. It will be up to Hockenson if he wants to continue his rise up the charts and follow in the footsteps of other household tight ends that came out of Iowa in the past.
TJ Hockenson – “The Block .my favorite highlight all season pic.twitter.com/ZxTQwTQXmY
— Hawkeye Football Fan (@HawkeyeFanHQ) October 14, 2018
Until next time, Ramble on Raider Nation.
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