What Positions Offer Most Value for the Oakland Raiders in 2015 NFL Draft?
The Jack Del Rio-Reggie McKenzie regime hopes to elevate the Oakland Raiders franchise to new levels. ESPN Senior Analyst Chris Mortensen initially reported on the hire to make Del Rio the Raiders' next coach on Wednesday.
Where does the new head coach start? Will McKenzie continue his streak of relatively successful drafts?
When taking an overview of the prospects available in 2015, there are some positions the Raiders must address right away and others that can be addressed later in the draft with the depth at certain positions.
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Generally, McKenzie has to be aggressive with his picks on defense with the exception of picking up an edge-rusher.
Derek Carr needs some talented skill players around him, but the wide receiver class is deep. Furthermore, none of the running backs are worthy of a first-round pick in Oakland’s case.
Defensive End
The fastest way to build a solid defense in today’s NFL is in the trenches. Oakland is in desperate need of pass-rushers. C.J. Wilson will become a free agent and veteran Justin Tuck only recorded five sacks in 2014.
This draft has the depth that will allow the Raiders to load up on defensive linemen capable of tracking down Alex Smith or devouring stationary quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers.
| Player | School | Round Projection |
| Randy Gregory | Nebraska | 1 |
| Shane Ray | Missouri | 1 |
| Nate Orchard | Utah | 1-2 |
| Preston Smith | Mississippi State | 3 |
McKenzie and co. have plenty of options here. Randy Gregory and Shane Ray are the most notable. Ray is the better pure pass-rusher and has spent more time playing the position on the college level. Gregory is a bit taller than Ray and his leaner frame makes him susceptible to being pushed backwards when engaged in blocks, per Dane Brugler and Rob Rang.
The Nebraska defensive end will have to work on his leverage to compete against bigger and stronger offensive linemen similar to King Dunlap of the San Diego Chargers or Orlando Franklin of the Denver Broncos. Ray improved his ability to sack the QB through the years and was third in the NCAA with 14 sacks compared to Gregory’s seven sacks, which was partially due to injuries.
According to Brugler and Rang, Gregory has a knee injury that could be a cause for concern if you’re investing a high draft pick in him:
"A tumultuous 2014 season started poorly for Gregory and the Huskers. An "old" knee injury was aggravated in the season-opener and Gregory missed the next game recovering from a knee scope. He wound up missing the regular-season finale and a showdown with Iowa left tackle Brandon Scherff with other injuries (reportedly head and ankle injuries).
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The second and third rounds also have exceptional talent.
Nate Orchard led the NCAA in sacks this year with 18. Nonetheless, Orchard is still a raw talent at the position, after initially playing wide receiver, per Rang. He presents tremendous upside based on how quickly he picked up his new position at DE but will likely need coaching on his hand placement and footwork to progress as a pass-rusher.
Preston Smith was a major contribution to an overall dominant defense at Mississippi State. According to Brugler, Smith uses his power more than his speed to capture QBs.
"Boasts an impressive wingspan and heavy hands to engage and dispose of blockers, using an array of rush moves to tear through blocks. Smith also lines up as a 1-technique lineman inside on obvious passing downs, using his initial quickness and power to penetrate the A-gap and create interior pressure.
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He’s a different type of pass-rusher, but he can still get the job done. What he lacks in speed he makes up in power. Smith was able to accumulate nine sacks in his senior year and could be a gem in the third round.
Defensive Tackle
| Player | School | Round Projection |
| Leonard Williams | USC | 1 |
| Xavier Cooper | Washington State | 2-3 |
| Chucky Hunter | TCU | 5 |
Del Rio is back in the saddle and though it hasn’t been said, he could transition the Raiders into a heavy 4-3 base defense. He operated a 4-3 base as a defensive coordinator in Denver and as a head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The idea of four defensive linemen opens a spot for a dominant nose tackle next to Justin Ellis, who played well in his rookie year.
Leonard Williams is head and shoulders above other defensive tackles in this draft class. A sound argument can be made for selecting Williams with the fourth-round pick. If he’s available, the Raiders should draft him without hesitation. He has the attributes to be an impact player right away with size, athleticism, a mean streak and versatility to play in different positions on the defensive line, per Brugler and Rang.
The University of California standout is highly coveted by teams in need of a prominent defensive presence up front. Ironically, Del Rio’s former team, the Jaguars, could steal Williams with the third-overall pick.
So, what’s plan B?
Xavier Cooper out of Washington State is a projected as second- to third-round talent but has the attributes the Raiders need. According to Rang, he’s a big, physical nose tackle with the ability to reach the QB with brute force and tremendous strength:
"Cooper is a naturally large man with broad shoulders and thick limbs. He shows good initial quickness off the snap and surprising acceleration and balance for a man of his size. Cooper is a passionate player who frequently pursues laterally and downfield - attributes which will intrigue teams looking for five-tech defensive ends (a role Cooper often played a year ago) or as a penetrating defensive tackle.
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Rang highlights a lack of “explosiveness,” but Oakland needs a big body in the middle—someone to plug the gaps and close the running lanes. Cooper has the size and power to fulfill that need.
Yes, there’s also a plan C.
Chucky Hunter is projected as a fifth-round pick simply because he’s still developing, per Brugler:
"He moves well for the position and carries his weight like a lighter player, using his coordinated footwork and balance to work through and around a crowd to the ballcarrier. A high character player on and off the field, Hunter has a quick first step with fast hands to pack a punch at the point of attack, but is still developing his upper body technique and shed skills to better work through single blockers.
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Oakland shouldn’t wait until the fifth round to draft a defensive tackle if Del Rio transitions to the 4-3, but Hunter could be a sneaky pick-up if he's able to balance his quickness with more strength.
Wide Receiver
| Player | School | Round Projection |
| Amari Cooper | Alabama | 1 |
| Jaelen Strong | Arizona State | 1-2 |
| Tony Lippett | Michigan State | 3 |
Wide receivers alone won’t lead a team to a Super Bowl. Unless you have Russell Wilson, the most physical running back in the game and a dominant defense, the QB needs a prominent vertical outlet.
Even if the Raiders re-sign Rod Streater and/or Denarius Moore, Carr needs a reliable go-to guy. This year’s draft is loaded with highly skilled receivers.
McKenzie could decide to build on his developing offense by choosing a wide receiver with the fourth-overall pick.
According to Brugler and Rang, Amari Cooper is the consummate receiver in this draft. He makes the difficult catches, exhibits quickness when needed and isn’t afraid to provide solid blocks for teammates:
"Excellent quickness and balance to get a clean release against press coverage and to make defenders miss in space. Accelerates in a flash, generating the burst to gain separation from top cornerbacks.
Makes the spectacular reception look easy with terrific hand-eye coordination and awareness to high-point passes. Competitive blocker.
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Cooper is touted as the best wide receiver in this year’s class based on his reliability and the sum of his skill sets. He’s isn’t the biggest or the fastest but managed set records in Alabama, per Brugler and Rang. He was one of the most productive wide receivers in the NCAA in 2014. He led CFB in receptions (124), receiving yards (1,727) and ranked second in receiving touchdowns (16) in his final year.
However, the new trend in the NFL is the larger receiver, designed to take advantage of end-zone passes, jump balls and simply overpower defenders. Dez Bryant, A.J. Green, Demaryius Thomas and rookie Kelvin Benjamin are all premier receivers in the league.
If the Raiders aren’t impressed with Cooper, they should take a look at Jaelen Strong.
According to Rang, he uses his 6’3”, 215-pound stature wisely to elude defenders and make spectacular plays on the perimeter and in the middle of the field:
"Strong is aptly named as he is a well-built receiver whose height, body control and leaping ability make him a difficult matchup for cornerbacks. He runs hard and forces defenders to take him to the ground, fighting through arm tackles to generate good yardage after the catch. His size makes him equally effective on the perimeter (where he excels on back-shoulder fades) and when dragging across the middle.
Strong accelerates quickly off the line, making him an effective vertical threat. Shows impressive balance and quickness to shake cornerbacks.
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Oakland has to be very strategic when considering Strong.
ESPN Draft Insider Todd McShay’s mock draft has the Cleveland Browns selecting Strong with the 19th-overall pick (insider subscription required). If the Raiders trade back for the wide receiver, they must be mindful he’s a hot commodity.
Oakland should prefer Strong over Dorial Green-Beckham simply because of character issues.
According to Brugler, Green-Beckham has some troubling red flags throughout his collegiate career that contributed to his dismissal from Missouri and could ultimately cause him to miss several Sundays in the NFL if he doesn’t address his actions and behavior:
"Expected to potentially be a top 10 pick following the 2014 season, Green-Beckham's lengthy list of off-field issues caught up with him as he was dismissed from the team in April. In addition to multiple marijuana-related issues, he was suspended and eventually booted from the Tigers' program following an incident in which he allegedly pushed an 18-year-old Missouri student down at least four stairs, although no charges were filed.
After exploring various transfer options and even the possibility of sitting out the season, Green-Beckham opted to join the Oklahoma program that had pursued him out of high school. His admission to Oklahoma came with specific stipulations that included continued rehabilitation and drug testing, according to an ESPN report, and Green-Beckham was subject to a "zero tolerance" policy.
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It would be unfair to make judgments on a person based on a four-year window, but the Raiders should avoid a potential problem in the future. Players have rectified their issues on the professional level, but Green-Beckham is projected as a first-round pick. Choosing a wide receiver with an early pick raises eyebrows; choosing a wide receiver with character issues as the fourth-overall pick can be disastrous.
Oakland can also provide a large target for the offense in the third round by selecting Tony Lippett. Lippett spent four years with Michigan State and finally broke out in his senior year with 65 receptions for 1,198 yards and 11 touchdowns.
He was a slow-developing talent with minimal speed, but he can serve as a balance for the Raiders' speedy receivers such as Holmes and potentially Streater or Moore.
Lippett is the prototypical possession receiver. He’s not going to outrun defenders, but he can use his body type like a basketball player grabbing a rebound, something the Raiders need to improve their red-zone scoring.
Inside Linebacker
| Player | School | Round Projection |
| Eric Kendricks | UCLA | 2 |
| Denzel Perryman | Miami (Fla.) | 2-3 |
The talent at the inside linebacker position isn’t as plentiful as the previous needs. If the Raiders plan to draft a high-energy prospect at this position, they must strike early.
This isn’t a pressing need for Oakland, but Miles Burris is playing outside of his natural position. More importantly, according to NFL.com writer Chris Wesseling, Nick Roach’s future in Oakland is uncertain:
"Roach played every defensive snap in 2013 but has missed all four games this season after suffering a concussion in an Aug. 22 preseason game.
Signed through 2016, Roach is due $2.8 million next season. As he's still experiencing symptoms from his concussion, it's not a lock that he will resume his career in Oakland.
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The NFL takes concussions very seriously with all the information available on the long-term effects. So, there’s no telling when or if Roach will be back with the Raiders any time soon as long as he's suffering from lingering concussion symptoms.
Both Eric Kendricks and Denzel Perryman are suitable to fill that void between Sio Moore and Khalil Mack.
According to Brugler and Rang, Kendricks is an instinctive linebacker, who can quickly diagnose plays without being overzealous:
"Like his brother Mychal (Eagles), Eric is instinctive, aggressive and a considerably more explosive hitter than his frame suggests. He closes quickly and with force, leading to some emphatic take-downs.
Very light on his feet, showing good agility, flexibility and balance to avoid would-be blockers when he rushing the quarterback. Kendricks' athleticism and awareness makes him effective in coverage, though he has just two interceptions in 28 career starts.
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The Raiders would hope his athleticism enables him to cover intermediate pass routes as he continues to develop. Three interceptions in his senior year provide hope in his coverage skills. Currently, he’s the type of linebacker Oakland needs to improve its run support in short-yardage downs.
According to Derek Stephens and Rang, Perryman is a similar type of player, who is more instinctive to a fault with better coverage skills:
"Despite lacking desirable height, Perryman has the look of a prototypical inside 'backer with a stout, thick frame. He is an instinctive and tough in-the-box defender who showed improved closing speed and explosiveness as a hitter in 2014.
Highly aggressive. Will occasionally takes false steps towards the line of scrimmage and leave himself trailing and vulnerable in play-action.
He's fast to pick up on routes when dropping into coverage, and possesses quick enough hips to hitch himself to a crossing route and maintain stride-for-stride coverage on slot receivers and tight ends.
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The Raiders could possibly reserve choosing an inside linebacker until the third round when these two buzz saws are the best available players on the board. McKenzie can’t go wrong with either developing prospect to solidify the linebacker corps.
Running back
| Player | School | Round Projection |
| Ameer Abdullah | Nebraska | 2 |
| Javorius Allen | USC | 2-3 |
| Karlos Williams | Florida State | 4-5 |
Latavius Murray will likely lead the backfield in 2015.
Running backs aren’t the biggest necessity in the draft even when there’s a void to fill, unless the skill set is unique or complementary to the offensive scheme.
Todd McShay projects the Baltimore Ravens selecting Melvin Gordon and the Seattle Seahawks as likely suitors for Todd Gurley at the end of the first round.
Ameer Abdullah will likely come off the board shortly after in the second round.
The Raiders have too many defensive needs to address running back in the first two rounds.
Nonetheless, Abdullah would be a quality pick for Oakland if he slips into the third round as a running back-wide receiver hybrid type. He’s not exactly Darren Sproles in terms of compact size and pass-blocking, but he can catch the ball and make plays in open space.
Aside from his 4,588 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns in four years at Nebraska, he can be a matchup issue for linebackers when he’s out in the flat on short pass routes.
Javorius Allen broke out in his final year at the University of Southern California as a combination back with 1,947 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns. He provides the same benefits as Abdullah with lower expectations because of his slower development at USC.
In combination with Murray, Allen could be an effective back with fresher legs than Darren McFadden or Maurice Jones-Drew. Defenders will also have to take into account his ability to become a viable wide receiver.
Finally, Karlos Williams has the raw talent and power to complement Murray.
According to Brugler and Stephens, he’s not just a compact running back. He has the vision and patience to see his blocks develop and hit running lanes with power and quickness. On top of that, he’s a burden to take down:
"Possesses speed, cutback ability and power, and demonstrated improved vision over the course of his lone season at tailback. Williams has light feet and flexible ankles to make strong cuts and redirect his momentum quickly.
While decisive and smooth, he also runs with forward lean and a physical style that makes him a tough guy to slow down once he gains steam.
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The shelf life of a running back is relatively short. McFadden and Jones-Drew are both in the latter part of their careers. Murray missed time shortly after arriving on the scene in a big way. The Raiders need an insurance policy that’s able to provide a viable rushing threat with a touch of versatility in case Murray isn’t built to become a workhorse in Oakland.
Offensive Tackle
| Player | School | Round Projection |
| Ronnie Stanley | Notre Dame | 1-2 |
Oakland's QBs were only sacked 28 times in 2014. Yet, there are still questions about the pass protection. Or could it be the paranoia of putting the franchise QB in danger?. Either way, the Raiders can make an unpopular but smart decision to add protection to the offensive line.
Menelik Watson’s role has been a major concern after another disappointing season. In 2014, he received a -17.2 rating per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He failed to complete a full season due to an ankle injury, per Scott Bair of csnbayarea.com.
Watson’s consecutive injury-riddled seasons have impeded his potential. It’s plausible the Raiders may seek more help for Carr up front in a top-heavy draft class at the tackle position.
It’s still imperative the Raiders address their defensive needs and allow Watson the opportunity to redeem himself in his third year.
However, Ronnie Stanley of Notre Dame could possibly be available in the second round as the seventh-best tackle in the draft class.
Oakland’s early second-round pick puts it in position to grab first-round talent and address a need as other teams look to fill voids elsewhere.
Currently, McShay's mock draft has Stanley positioned outside of the first round.
According to Rang, Stanley is a young offensive lineman with the developing attributes of a Pro Bowl player:
"Stanley's long arms and fluid slide allow him to protect the edge, even when matched up against speed pass rushers. Plays on the balls of his feet with his knee bent, displaying good lateral agility and balance to mirror rushers. He has heavy hands and long arms, allowing him to catch and control opponents.
Also shows strength and determination in the running game. Drives defenders off the ball in short-yardage situations, and speed and terrific effort getting to and effectively blocking at the second level.
Further, he's more technically sound than one might expect for a young player. Stanley shoots his hands to stun defenders but isn't over-aggressive, demonstrating the patience that most blockers don't develop for years. He understands blocking with angles, using arm bars and running with defenders downfield to keep his opponent from making the tackle.
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Initially, offensive tackle wasn’t a pressing need for Oakland, but if Stanley drops into the second round, Oakland should take a chance on him considering Watson’s struggles. Also keep in mind, veteran tackle Donald Penn will become a free agent in 2016.
Stanley may not be the flashiest second-round pick after Williams, Cooper, Gregory or Ray but he’ll be the best available talent as a second-round selection.
Advanced statistics provided by Pro-Football-Reference.com and ProFootballFocus.com and Sports-reference.com
Draft analysis provided by CBSSports.com
Contract details provided by spotrac.com
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