Oakland Raiders 2012 Mock Draft: Grading Picks from the B/R Community Mock Draft

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With the 2012 NFL Draft fast approaching, the Bleacher Report community came together to mock the entire draft. 

The Raiders have five selections:

Third Round, 97th Overall (Compensatory)

Fourth Round, 131st Overall (Compensatory)

Fifth Round, 150th Overall

Fifth Round, 170th Overall (Compensatory)

Sixth Round, 191st Overall

Among the selections were a cornerback, two linebackers, a quarterback and a tight end. On the surface, the right positions were addressed, but were the needs addressed in the right order?

Pick 97: Dwight Bentley, CB, Louisiana-Lafayette

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The Raiders signed three cornerbacks in free agency and go with a cornerback with their first pick in the draft.

GM Reggie McKenzie said he would draft the best player available and not be tied to drafting for a need. So eliminating cornerback just because the Raiders signed a few in free agency wouldn't be fair.

However, Bentley is probably not even the best cornerback left in the draft. Coryell Judie is still on the board, and it seems like a stretch that McKenzie signed all the cornerbacks anticipating he would draft one with his first pick.

McKenzie's free-agent signings of Ron Bartell, Shawntae Spencer and Pat Lee are also all 6-foot or taller and weigh 190 pounds or more. Of the cornerbacks on the roster in Green Bay, all are 5-11 or taller and only one weighs less than 190 pounds.

In other words, McKenzie has a type. Judie is 5-11 and 190 pounds and barely meets McKenzie's standards, but Bentley doesn't measure up.

It's probably not that simplistic, but McKenzie likes physical corners who will mix it up in the run game. Bentley is a thinly built corner who needs a lot of work on his technique in many areas. He's a shorter, slower version of DeMarcus Van Dyke.

Grade: D

Players still on the board:

OT Nate Potter

LB Nigel Bradham

LB Bruce Irvins

LB Travis Lewis

QB Brandon Weeden

QB Russell Wilson

QB Kirk Cousins

CB Coryell Judie

DE Malik Jackson

Pick 131: Josh Kaddu, LB, Oregon

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With the Raiders' second pick of the draft, they opted to add depth. It's a good thing in this case, because the Raiders need depth at linebacker.

The question becomes, is Kaddu the best player on the board and is he the type of player McKenzie would want on his football team?

The answer is "no" for both questions.

Kaddu is very much the athlete playing football Al Davis would have drafted. McKenzie is going to value instincts and how well the player reads and reacts on tape.

There are two linebackers still on the board who are "instinct" players. Kyle Wilber and Travis Lewis both would have been better picks at 131.

Grade: C-

The Raiders' first two picks felt forced.

Players still on the board: 

LB Travis Lewis

DE Malik Jackson

C David Molk

WR Chris Owusu

CB Ryan Steed

CB Asa Jackson

Pick 150: Kyle Wilber, OLB, Wake Forest

Wilber vs. Baylor (and RG III)

The Raiders let the draft come to them with their first of two fifth-round picks. Kyle Wilber falls and the Raiders capitalize on the value he presents.

Wilber is not without his warts, but he can immediately help the Raiders as a 3-4 rush linebacker.

If the Raiders plan to put four linebackers on the field at any point this season, they will need rush linebackers like Wilber. 

Most scouting reports praise Wilber's instincts and the angles he takes to the ball. He's also got a quick first step and is best suited for a finesse scheme like the one Dennis Allen will install with the Raiders this year.

Wilber could be an instant contributor for the Raiders and be the extra linebacker who comes in when the Raiders shift to the 3-4. 

Grade: A

Players still on the board:

CB Omar Boldin

LB Brandon Lindsey

LB Miles Burris

DT DaJohn Harris

Pick 170: James Hanna, TE, Oklahoma

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After the Raiders released Kevin Boss, many assume the team will be looking for a tight end in the draft. Hanna is an all-around tight end, but he's not great in any area and looks like a guy who will fight for a roster spot.

The Raiders return Brandon Myers, David Ausberry and RIchard Gordon at the tight-end position. Drafting a player like Hanna only adds another body to a position with many bodies and doesn't do anything to help the Raiders' depth issues. 

It's hard to imagine Hanna has an sleeper potential having played for Oklahoma, leaving fans with a lot to be desired from this pick.

The talent is starting to thin out, but if McKenzie is going to fall in love with a specialist or primary reserve, he can save it for his last pick. 

The Raiders would do better adding depth on the defensive line, linebacker or wide receiver. 

Grade: C-

Players still on the board:

ILB Jerry Franklin

WR Rishard Matthews

DE Trevor Guyton

OLB Miles Burris

Pick 191: Kellen Moore, QB, Boise State

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After passing on three superior prospects earlier in the draft, the Raiders decided to bring in a developmental quarterback in Moore.

There was a good chance Moore wouldn't even be drafted, but here he is in the middle of the sixth round.

The Raiders are really looking for a veteran backup more than they are a developmental quarterback. 

There is a lot to like about Moore, but ultimately, it comes down to limited arm strength and height. He doesn't have the arm to make all the NFL throws and his lack of height makes him unable to see passing lanes and will result in added pressure.

If the Raiders wanted Moore, the best option would be to try to sign him as an undrafted free agent.

Although the pick isn't great on the surface, a case can be made that taking a flier on a quarterback late in the draft can occasionally pay off. What doesn't make sense is the selection of Moore over Ryan Lindley.

Lindley has the arm and size to develop if a good coach can clean up his footwork and throwing mechanics.

Rishard Matthews would be an interesting pick here with some boom/bust potential as a receiver and cornerback Micah Pellerin is a raw prospect, but he has all the physical tools to be a starter in the NFL.

Grade: F

Players still on the board:

QB Ryan Lindley

CB Mike Harris

NT Nic Jean-Baptiste

WR Rishard Matthews

CB Micah Pellerin

Report Card

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3rd Round, 97th Overall: D

4th Round, 131st Overall: C

5th Round, 150th Overall: A

5th Round, 170th Overall: C

6th Round, 191st Overall: F

Overall GPA: D+

The Raiders only added one player who would be likely to receive significant playing time in 2012. That's just not good enough.

Value was on the board, and in many cases the Raiders passed up superior talent to draft for perceived need. 

McKenzie needs to find three or four immediate contributors on defense and to do so, he will look at defensive ends, defensive tackles and linebackers and likely bypass cornerbacks unless he sees one of great value late. 

It would be surprising if McKenzie drafts a quarterback, as he will probably look for a veteran backup after the draft. With only three roster spots for quarterbacks, Terrelle Pryor and the draft pick would battle for the final roster spot if one was drafted.

Two linebackers make sense and the Raiders got two decent options, but they could have probably done even better and Kaddu doesn't seem like the type of player McKenzie would favor.

A disappointing haul.