Round 2
Pick 35, Lyndell “Mack” Wilson, LB, Alabama
It feels like forever since the Raiders last had a diagnosing menace patrolling the middle of the field. While Mack Wilson still has some growing to do to be that menace, he would be an instant upgrade over the middle linebackers the Raiders are currently fielding, and if he hits his potential, the Raiders have snagged an All-Pro calibre player in the 2nd round.
The Raiders are currently one dimensional in their linebacking group. Marquel Lee, Tahir Whitehead and Jason Cabinda are stout in the run game but struggle in coverage, while Nicholas Morrow is the reverse. Wilson is a player that can excel at both facets of the game, possessing violence downhill attacking blockers, as well as unteachable instincts dropping into coverage.
Wilson’s biggest attribute is his playmaking ability in coverage, a growing need in an increasingly passing NFL. He is fluid in his drop and reads the quarterback feeling the routes develop around him, and when breaking on the ball he displays elite ball skills that will have you questioning his position at linebacker. His playmaking has got him into trouble on occasion though, sometimes undercutting routes to play on a pass and being burned on a break, or getting his eyes on the ball early and losing his man in coverage.
Every interception that Alabama LB Mack Wilson has recorded during his career. Wilson is just a straight up playmaker with insane instincts. A true three down linebacker. pic.twitter.com/w0OyLxeO9H
— Daniel Valente (@StatsGuyDaniel) January 17, 2019
In the run game Wilson has been inconsistent. One snap he would show quick diagnosis trusting his keys, accurate hand placement, low pad level, strength at the point of attack and impressive finish on the runner, another snap he would be caught reading the backfield and swallowed up in the box. Developing that consistency is paramount to him becoming a successful three-down middle linebacker in the NFL. He has good range to make plays on the sideline and scrapes through traffic well. He is not quite the outside run killer in the same way that speed demons Devin White and Devin Bush Jr. are, instead taking advantage of reading the triangle (offensive line keys and mesh point) to diagnose and react quickly, which you could argue is more valuable.
Wilson also has shown inconsistencies in his tackling, something that will have to be cleared up at the next level. The Alabama linebacker sometimes took bad angles in space or would whiff due to not breaking down well enough. He also aims a little high on occasion, relying on his upper body strength to complete the tackle, an issue that didn’t flare up in college, but most probably would do against stronger, faster NFL competition. This being said, Wilson did put good form on film, and when he was disciplined and stalked his prey correctly, you could hear the crack from the back of the stadium. Wilson left quite a few players heaving themselves off the floor, wiping crimson marks off their jerseys.
https://twitter.com/AlabamaDieHards/status/916688704344911873
Mack Wilson (@iam__mw3o) is turning into a force to be reckoned with. pic.twitter.com/5UnP9TAEPr
— Justin King (@JustinKing) October 24, 2016
Wilson is a ferocious special teams player, eager to set the tone. This mentality makes him a more desirable player, especially in the eyes of a coach like Gruden.
In picking Mack Wilson here, the Raiders are finally accepting that the linebacker position is of increasing value, and that they currently have little value at linebacker. Wilson provides instant playmaking in coverage and the intelligence to develop as a green dot in Guenther’s scheme. He also possesses the leadership Gruden is looking for, being one of Alabama’s defensive captains. Wilson’s collegiate career was full of highs and lows, but when he was at his best, he looked like a top Alabama talent standing right next to Quinnen Williams. If Wilson grows to hit the highs consistently, or even something a little below, the Raiders have a special middle linebacker.