Pro Football Focus has the Las Vegas Raiders selecting tackle Teven Jenkins 17th overall in their latest mock.
A player that’s been linked to the Silver and Black in several mocks and stories has been linebacker Micah Parsons. Nevertheless, picking up Jenkins in this scenario over Parsons seems like the smarter play for the Raiders. This isn’t a knock on Parsons as a player in any way but Las Vegas still needs a right tackle. Also, it’s unlikely he slides that much, so he may not even be available when Las Vegas is on the clock at 17.
The former Penn State Nittany Lion proved to be a solid pass rusher, with 18 tackles for a loss and six and a half sacks from 2018-2019. PFF has him as one of the highest-graded run defenders, posting a 94.8 grade in that department. However, drafting Parsons wouldn’t make a ton of sense with how the current linebacker group stands. Cory Littleton will get a shot at redemption under Gus Bradley and the team re-signed Nicholas Morrow. Having a promising linebacker corps for the first time in years gives the team’s brain trust the ability to focus on a more dire need.
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Should the Raiders go with Jenkins at 17?
This year’s loaded draft class at tackle bodes well for Las Vegas in terms of need and best player available. Other than tackle, the team still lacks an interior defensive lineman and a safety. On the other hand, selecting Jenkins would give the Raiders a solid insurance policy in protecting quarterback Derek Carr. In addition, PFF mentioned Jenkin’s run-blocking prowess, he was graded 93.6 last year in said department.
It might be tempting to pick up Parsons, Rashod Bateman, or Kwity Paye at 17 but protecting ‘4’ should be the priority. The team could possibly select safety Richie Grant in the second round and drafting Jenkins in the first would be optimal. What are your thoughts, Raider Nation? How would you feel about Jenkins at 17?
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*Top Photo: Charlie Niebergall/Associated Press