5 NFL Draft Prospects Raiders Fans Should Already Be Watching

NFL draft season is still at least 13 weeks away for most teams, but the Oakland Raiders are one of a handful of teams that can probably start thinking about the offseason already. 

The Raiders are in full rebuilding mode and have already fired head coach Dennis Allen this season, signaling more significant changes are on the way next offseason. 

The following list highlights five prospects who could be first-round targets of the Raiders depending on where they end up making their first selection on April 30.

For the sake of this list, we'll assume the Raiders are sold on 2014 second-round pick Derek Carr at quarterback, but if the new coaching regime wants their own guy, obviously quarterback becomes a high priority during the scouting process. 

Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

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Wide receiver is often viewed as a luxury position rather than a starting point when it comes to rebuilding through the draft, but if the Raiders believe Derek Carr is the answer, it's time to invest in their receiving corps. 

Amari Cooper is having one of the best seasons by a collegiate receiver in recent memory and has established himself as a first-round lock. 

It will be interesting to see how high he actually goes in the draft due to the fact that his measurables don't fit the profile of a traditional top-10 selection, but he is definitely a prospect for the Raiders keep on their radar. 

With his impressive footwork and route-running ability, Cooper has the tools to make a smooth transition to the NFL and impact the Raiders offense immediately. 

Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

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It's been 10 years since the Raiders selected Robert Gallery second overall, passing up Larry Fitzgerald in the process. Hopefully Raiders fans have forgiven Iowa and are ready to embrace Brandon Scherff. 

Scherff doesn't have the elite quickness of other prospects such as Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi, but his fundamentals are rare for college linemen. 

What Scherff lacks in athleticism, he makes up for with strength, balance and awareness on the field. 

Donald Penn has played relatively well for the Raiders at left tackle, which would give Oakland the option of using Scherff on the right side if they felt his skill set was better suited for the position. Regardless of where he lined up, Scherff would provide the Raiders a significant upgrade in their protection of Carr. 

Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor

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Raiders fans, meet this year's Jason Pierre-Paul. 

Shawn Oakman, who transferred to Baylor after being dismissed from Penn State, is a physical freak. He's listed at 6'9", 280 pounds and plays with impressive quickness on the edge of Baylor's defensive line. 

The Raiders began the rebuilding process on defense last year with the selection of Khalil Mack in the first round, and Oakman would be another significant puzzle piece in place. 

While Oakman's on-field production has yet to reach an elite level, his raw talent is sure to land him early in the first round. Much like similar prospects such as Pierre-Paul and Ezekiel Ansah, talent trumps production when it comes to finding the next great pass-rusher. 

Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan

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It's rare for a tight end to crack the top 10 of the NFL draft, but Michigan's Devin Funchess may be the type of special talent that entices a team to gamble on the position early. 

Funchess' combination of size and speed is so dangerous that the Wolverines moved him from tight end to wide receiver this year, hoping to better utilize him as a mismatch in the passing game. 

The Raiders need to find a reliable go-to target for Carr, and Funchess has the potential to immediately be that safety net for the young quarterback. 

Realistically, Funchess wouldn't be an option for the Raiders in the top five, but if they win a few more games than expected, he could be a viable target in the middle of the first round. 

Landon Collins, S, Alabama

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Charles Woodson remains productive in the Raiders secondary at the age of 38, but the end is near. 

Landon Collins isn't the athlete Woodson once was, but he's more than capable of taking over the leadership role in the Raiders secondary. 

Collins has all the tools necessary to be an elite strong safety at the next level, with the speed to matchup in coverage against tight ends and receivers and the strength and field awareness to make plays against the run. 

Rebuilding teams rarely target the safety position early in the draft, but Collins' elite tools may make him an exception for the Raiders.