The Complete Oakland Raiders Draft Primer

Finally, the draft is here.

For a 3-13 team that hasn't seen the postseason in more than a decade like the Oakland Raiders, rebuilding is the name of the game. The process started out successfully with an efficient free-agency period. The draft provides the last opportunity to add some desperately needed game-changing talent.

All of the reports, rumors, interviews, pro days and film-watching comes down to this. With high picks in every round, the Raiders are in prime position to add several major pieces and finally get out of the NFL's basement. The only thing left to do is actually make the picks.

The top three picks are going to be especially important for Oakland, as these selections have to result in starters. The rest of the picks will also be important, as the Raiders have to turn them into reliable depth at several positions.

After a successful 2014 draft and a very good crop of 2015 free agents, the Raiders are on the verge of finally turning things around.

When, Where and Who'll Be There

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

The draft has taken place in New York every year since 1965 and inside Radio City Music Hall since 2006. However, this year's draft will be held in Chicago inside the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Here's a look at the schedule for the three-day event:

	Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Day/Date	Thursday, April 30	Friday, May 1	Saturday, May 2
Start Time	8 p.m. ET	7 p.m. ET	12 p.m. ET
Round(s)	1	2-3	4-7
Time Per Pick	10 minutes	7 minutes	5 minutes

As of April 14, just over two weeks before the draft, the NFL has confirmed the 26 players who will attend the draft, most of which are projected to be selected in the first round (in alphabetical order):

Player	School	Position
Armstead, Arik	Oregon	DT
Beasley, Vic	Clemson	DL
Collins, La'El	LSU	OL
Collins, Landon	Alabama	S
Dupree, Alvin "Bud"	Kentucky	DE/OLB
Erving, Cameron	Florida State	OL
Fowler Jr., Dante	Florida	DE/OLB
Gordon, Melvin	Wisconsin	RB
Gregory, Randy	Nebraska	DE
Gurley, Todd	Georgia	RB
Humphries, D.J.*	Florida	OL
Johnson, Kevin	Wake Forest	CB
Jones, Byron	Connecticut	CB
McKinney, Benardrick**	Mississippi State	LB
Parker, DeVante	Louisville	WR
Peat, Andrus	Stanford	OL
Perriman, Breshard	Central Florida	WR
Ray, Shane	Missouri	DE
Scherff, Brandon	Iowa	OL
Shelton, Danny	Washington	DL
Smith, Devin**	Ohio State	WR
Strong, Jaelen*	Arizona State	WR
Tomlinson, Laken**	Duke	OL
Waynes, Trae	Michigan State	CB
White, Kevin	West Virginia	WR
Williams, Leonard	USC	DE/DT

*Projected to be selected late in the first round or early in the second round

**Projected to be selected in the second round

Quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota and wide receiver Amari Cooper, all of whom are expected to be selected within the first 10 picks of the draft (Winston is expected to be selected first overall), will not be attending the draft.

The Raiders have been directly linked to the following players who will be at the draft:

• Leonard Williams—Bleacher Report NFL Insider Jason Cole reports that, according to sources, the Raiders have Williams as their top overall prospect.
• Kevin White—At fourth overall, Cooper seems like the option; if Oakland trades back a few spots, Cooper is likely to be gone, and White becomes the top option at wide receiver.
• Vic Beasley—Oakland sent a team of coaches to his pro day, including defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr., linebackers coach Sal Sunseri and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin.

The Picks

Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

For the first time since 2010 (although it seems like even longer), the Raiders are going to have a pick in each of the seven rounds.

Round	Position in Round	Overall Selection
1	4th	4
2	3rd	35
3	4th	68
4	3rd	102
5	4th	140
6	3rd	179
7	4th	221

The Raiders also have a good spot in each round, picking either third or fourth in every round throughout the draft. This is a great position to be in as the Raiders will be in prime position to select one of the top prospects in each round.

It also means the Raiders will be in prime position to make a trade in every round. If the team wants to trade up to the end of a round, it won't be too big of a move. And if another team wants to trade up to grab a player they've fallen in love with before someone else does, Oakland will always be a prime trade target.

Oakland is set up very nicely in every round and is in great position to select a good player each time in the draft.

Biggest Needs

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

These are Oakland's biggest needs throughout the roster:

• Wide Receiver
• Defensive End
• Guard
• Cornerback
• Safety
• Middle Linebacker

Here's a breakdown of the six positions the team must address in the draft and why.

Wide Receiver

Why a wide receiver?

Where to begin? Oakland's problems at wide receiver in 2014 have been well-documented. Not only did the team not have a receiver break 1,000 yards, there wasn't a pass-catcher on the roster that even broke 700 yards.

There are several solid receivers on the roster, but the absence of a true No. 1 receiver is blindingly clear. The addition of a true number one option would make Derek Carr better, the wide receiving corps better and the offense as a whole better.

What is the team looking for?

 A true No. 1 receiver.

This isn't a matter of depth. The Raiders need to bring in someone who can take up major responsibility and start to produce big right away. This need, combined with the options available at the top of the draft, makes this a position the Raiders will certainly address in the first two rounds of the draft.

Defensive End

Why a defensive end?

The Raiders weren't great against the run in 2014, but they weren't terrible either. They allowed exactly four yards per attempt throughout the season, tying then for eighth-best in the league. Considering teams ran the ball against Oakland 481 times, which was fourth-most in the league, that's actually a pretty good performance.

But the pass rush was a different story. Oakland finished tied for second-worst with only 22 sacks. This mediocre performance had a trickle-down effect on the rest of the defense, and it's why guys like Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Tannehill and Geno Smith looked like world-beaters when they played against Oakland. These three combined to go 60-of-78 (76.9 percent) for 638 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions.

What is the team looking for?

A pass-rusher.

Opposing quarterbacks had a ton of time to throw, and it made it easy to pick the secondary apart. Oakland has to add someone in the draft who can consistently get to the quarterback and disrupt the passing game. This hole made the entire defense worse. Filling this one need will make the entire defense better.

Guard

Why a guard?

Oakland has put together a very good offensive line, but there's still a big need at right guard. For now, Khalif Barnes is penciled in as the starter, but that's only by default. The Raiders have to start looking now for a permanent solution.

One of Oakland's biggest issues was the inability to consistently run up the middle and impose itself. The arrival of center Rodney Hudson will go a long way in helping this, and Gabe Jackson has the left guard position locked down. A solid right guard will allow the offensive line to bully teams up the middle.

What is the team looking for?

A road grader.

Obviously, pass protection is important, and this aspect can't be overlooked when adding a guard. But Oakland was embarrassingly bad on the ground in 2014, finishing dead-last with an average of 77.5 rushing yards per game. The problem began right up the middle, with running backs too often being met at or behind the line of scrimmage. A guard that can consistently get a push up the middle is a must.

Cornerback

Why a cornerback?

The Raiders face a unique circumstance at this position. The team is going with youth, but no one currently on the roster is a proven NFL performer. This means while the potential is certainly there, the team has to prepare for the possibility the current players won't work out.

Adding youth to youth doesn't sound like the best option, but it's what Oakland is facing heading into the draft. D.J. Hayden, T.J. Carrie and Keith McGill are all very intriguing cornerbacks. But until someone steps up and shows he can be relied upon, the team has to continue to look for permanent answers.

What is the team looking for?

Reliability with room to grow.

Given the other needs on the team, cornerback won't be addressed early. But whoever the Raiders add, he can't be a project. He has to have a proven role. Whether it's as a No. 1 cornerback or a slot corner, Oakland has to find someone who can be plugged in with confidence. The defense has to have someone at cornerback it doesn't have to worry about.

Safety

Why a safety?

Contrary to what recent seasons might suggest, Charles Woodson can't play forever. Even while playing at age 38 during the 2014 season, Woodson was one of Oakland's best defenders. But 2015 is likely to be his final season, and the Raiders don't currently have anyone lined up to take over.

There are some prospects currently on the roster, including 2014 seventh-round pick Jonathan Dowling and 27-year-old Larry Asante. However, the Raiders have already seen these players in practice and in games, and that wasn't enough to stop them from chasing safeties this offseason. The position is unsettled, and now is the time to address it, not next year when Woodson is already gone.

What is the team looking for?

Woodson's permanent replacement.

This is the ideal time to find the future at safety in Oakland. Woodson would be the perfect teacher. There's also no awkwardness given that everyone, including the future Hall of Famer, is well aware he's at the end of his career, so his replacement being brought in is no surprise. This is the perfect season to bring in a rookie and let him spend an entire year learning from Woodson in preparation for taking over permanently in 2016.

Middle Linebacker

Why a middle linebacker?

Oakland's linebacking corps was a major liability. Most of the criticism was aimed at Miles Burris, but his subpar play was a symptom of the real problem: lack of depth. Burris, a weak-side linebacker, was forced to move to the middle because there were no other middle linebackers on the roster. When Sio Moore went down, the Raiders had to once again scramble to find a replacement.

The team has solidified its starting group with the addition of middle linebacker Curtis Lofton, and Malcolm Smith adds depth. But the team is still one injury away from being in the same position it was in last season. Oakland doesn't need a starting linebacker. But the need for a viable backup is still there.

What is the team looking for?

A true middle linebacker.

The importance of this position can't be overlooked. The middle linebacker is in the middle of the defense. He calls the defensive plays and has to make sure everyone lines up correctly. Essentially, he's the quarterback of the defense, making it crucial the man playing the position knows how to run things. For this reason, the Raiders don't need someone who can come in and start. But they do need someone who's proven to be able to play the position.

Day-by-Day Game Plan

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Every day of the draft will bring its own set of priorities, options and goals. Given the current make-up of the roster, this is how Oakland should approach the draft.

Day 1

Round: 1

Trading down is an option, but staying put is the best option. At fourth overall, Oakland is in a can't-afford-to-miss position here. That might seem obvious, but this isn't the case for every team. Some teams can afford to reach, even in the first. They can afford to add a player who can work his way into a consistent contributor over time.

The Raiders aren't in such a position. The team has to find a player that is going to start from Day 1 and contribute immediately. If they take a wide receiver, he has to be a threat to go for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie. If they take a defensive end, he has to push for double-digit sacks immediately.

The Raiders aren't just looking for a contributor. They're looking for a building block, a player that will be a foundational piece for the next decade. That might seem like asking for a lot, but it's what the Raiders have to find with the fourth overall pick. Anything less won't be enough.

Day 2

Rounds: 2-3

Like the first round, the second and third round for Oakland are for finding immediate contributors. While these players don't have to be superstars, they do have contribute right away. Like the player Oakland selects on Day 1, the picks from Day 2 have to be made with the intention of adding starters, not depth.

Unlike on the first day, the difference from player to player is much smaller in this round, so making a trade is more possible. The Raiders can move down and still get a player that meets the requirement of being able to contribute right away. Still, Oakland is picking near the top of each round. And given what the team is looking for, it makes more sense to keep the picks.

If Oakland takes a defensive end on Day 1, the second-round pick has to be a wide receiver. If the Day 1 pick is a wide receiver, then Day 2 has to start with a pass-rusher. In Round 3, Oakland has to find a permanent answer at right guard.

Day 3

Rounds 4-7

Day 3 should be used to add cornerback help, find a future starter at safety and for adding depth at linebacker. While these positions aren't as big of a need as the positions addressed on the first two days, they're still important. Addressing them on Day 3 will truly solidify the Oakland roster.

The picks in Rounds 6 and 7 can also be made using a strictly "best player available" approach. The goal should still be to find immediate contributors and possible starters, but this is also the time to reach for talent and find players that could be projects to start out. Adding depth will be the primary goal here.

Top Targets in Round 1

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Assuming the Raiders stay at their current spot in the first round, here are the five players, in order, the team should target.

1. Leonard Williams (DT/DE)

The top defensive prospect in this year's draft, Williams falling to the fourth spot would be a dream scenario, similar to what happened last year when Khalil Mack fell to fifth overall. All things considered, Williams is the guy Oakland wants. No matter who's available, if Williams an option, he'll be the pick.

2. Kevin White (WR)

If the Raiders go with a wide receiver, White is the best option. The debate has raged for months over who is the top prospect at the position. The addition of Michael Crabtree has sufficiently solidified the wide receiving corps, and what Oakland needs now is a true No. 1 that can consistently beat defenses deep. 

White is the wide receiver teams dream about adding. He has the size, strength and speed that make him an ideal No. 1 receiver. The concern is he only played at an elite level for one season. But he has the tools, and the film shows he's capable of beating man-to-man coverage.

3. Amari Cooper (WR)

Cooper might be second to White on this list, but not by much. What has Cooper behind White is Cooper benefited from being moved around as something of an offensive weapon. What the Raiders need is someone who's going to line up across from the opposition's No. 1 cornerback every down and beat him one-on-one.

Still, Cooper has sustained success against elite competition and is the most pro-ready option. No matter what the offense requires of him, he'll be capable of doing it at a high level from Day 1.

4. Dante Fowler Jr. (DE)

Like a lot of the top-edge rusher prospects in this draft, Fowler played defensive end in college but projects as an outside linebacker in the NFL. In fact, his NFL.com draft profile compares him to Khalil Mack. However, he has the size to stick at defensive end, and he's a voracious, aggressive defender.

His college stats aren't as impressive as they could've been, largely because he was moved around a lot—he played defensive tackle, defensive end and outside linebacker while at Florida. Finding a specialized role in Oakland would immediately lead to more productivity.

5. Vic Beasley (DE)

Beasley is an impressive edge-rusher. However, like Fowler, most projections see him as an outside linebacker at the next level. Beasley also heavily relied on his speed in college, beating tackles around the edge by simply running past them. If he plays defensive end, he'll have to incorporate more moves into his repertoire. Still, he's proven to be very good at the one thing the Raiders are missing: getting to the quarterback.

Position-by-Position Big Board

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The players on this list are a combination of need and availability given when Oakland should address that position.

For example, Trae Waynes is widely considered the top cornerback prospect in the draft. However, he'll be selected in the first round, and the Raiders won't address that position until later in the draft. That means he's not really an option, and is therefore not included on this list.

Wide Receivers

Rounds to address position: 1-2

	Player	Round
1	Kevin White	1
2	Amari Cooper	1
3	DeVante Parker	1
4	Breshad Perriman	1
5	Dorial Green-Beckham	1-2
6	Jaelen Strong	1-2
7	Nelson Agholor	1-2
8	Phillip Dorsett	2
9	Devin Smith	2
10	Rashad Green	2

Defensive End

Rounds to address position: 1-2

	Player	Round
1	Leonard Williams	1
2	Dante Fowler Jr.	1
3	Vic Beasley	1
4	Shane Ray	1
5	Alvin "Bud" Dupree	1
6	Randy Gregory	1
7	Arik Armstead	1
8	Owamagbe Odighizuwa	1-2
9	Preston Smith	2
10	Danielle Hunter	2
11	Nate Orchard	2

Guard

Rounds to address position: 3-4

	Player	Round
1	Ali Marpet	2-3
2	Tre' Jackson	2-3
3	Arie Kouandjio	3
4	John Miller	3
5	Mitch Morse	3-4
6	Josue Matias	4
7	Mark Glowinski	4-5

Cornerback

Rounds to address position: 4-5

	Player	Round
1	Steven Nelson	3-4
2	Alex Carter	3-4
3	Senquez Golson	4
4	Kevin White	4
5	Craig Mager	4-5
6	Bobby McCain	4-5
7	Charles Gaines	4-5
8	Lorenzo Doss	5
9	Jacoby Glenn	5
10	Darryl Roberts	5
11	Justin Coleman	5-6
12	Damian Swann	5-6

Safety

Rounds to address position: 4-6

	Player	Round
1	James Staple	3-4
2	Derron Smith	3-4
3	Adrian Amos	3-4
4	Cody Prewitt	4
5	Ibraheim Campbell	4
6	Kurtis Drummond	4-5
7	Clayton Geathers	4-5
8	Durell Eskridge	4-5
9	Anthony Jefferson	5
10	Gerod Holliman	5-6
11	Jordan Richards	5-6
12	Chris Hackett	6
13	Kyshoen Jarrett	6
14	Anthony Harris	6-7

Middle Linebacker

Rounds to address position: 4-7

	Player	Round
1	Ben Heeney	4
2	Taiwan Jones	4-5
3	Ramik Wilson	5
4	Martrell Speight	5
5	Bryce Hager	5-6
6	Hayes Pullard	6
7	Zach Vigil	6-7

Best of the Rest

Eric Gay/Associated Press

While it's often overlooked, the end of the draft can be the most intriguing portion of the draft. The last couple of rounds are when teams feel the most comfortable taking a shot on a prospect, which makes these rounds especially unpredictable.

This is also a great opportunity for teams to show just how good they are at scouting talent. A great recent example is Oakland's own T.J. Carrie, who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2014 as a kick return specialist. He proved to be much better as a cornerback than what was anticipated, and he's now in line to be a starter at cornerback in 2015.

With that in mind, here's a list of prospects the Raiders should strongly consider drafting in rounds 6-7.

C.J. Uzomah (Tight End)

Projected Round: 6

Despite looking the part of a game-changing tight end (6'6", 262 pounds) Uzomah had a mediocre college career. He finished his career at Auburn with only 29 catches for 435 yards and seven touchdowns.

However, a strong case can be made he just wasn't playing in a system that let him play to his strengths. He has good hands and great speed. He still has to refine his game, but the Raiders can offer him the opportunity to learn to play the position and slowly give him more responsibility.

Zack Wagenmann (Defensive End)

Projected Round: 6

Wagenmann was an outstanding defensive end in college, but this was while playing for Montana in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known as Division I-A). At 6'3" and 247 pounds, he has adequate but not great size. What he does have a is a relentless motor.

He might not be an every-down defensive end, but he could really find a role as a pass-rushing defensive end. He really excels in this role, as it allows him to make optimum use of his best trait, which is relentlessly going after the quarterback.

Quandre Diggs (Cornerback)

Projected Round: 6-7

An underrated cornerback, Diggs is being overlooked due to what many consider his lack of size (5'9", 196 pounds). He might be able to take on the opposition's No. 2 receivers, and he would be perfect against smaller slot receivers, which is something that gave Oakland a lot of trouble in 2014. The Raiders already have size at cornerback on the outside (D.J. Hayden is 5'11", T.J. Carrie is 6'0" and Keith McGill is 6'3"). Diggs could step in on the inside.

JaMarcus Nelson (Wide Receiver)

Projected Round: 6-7

We'll call this one the "Al Davis Memorial Pick." Nelson isn't small or just light by NFL standards. He's tiny. Despite being 5'10", he weighed in at only 156 pounds at the combine, making him the lightest player in 13 years. He's certainly not an every-down receiver. So why is he on this list?

Because he's an absolute burner. He set the bar in the 40-yard dash by running a blazing 4.28-second 40-yard dash. The Raiders need help in the return game, and Nelson would be perfect for the role. He could also be used situationally in the offense to take the top off of the defense. With that kind of speed, the defense would have to respect him as a deep threat.

Terrell Watson (Running Back)

Projected Round: 7-Undrafted

Watson put up some gaudy stats while playing at small Azusa Pacific. He finished his four-year college career with 928 carries, 5,947 yards and an incredible 78 touchdowns. There's no doubt it'll be a huge jump from the Great Northwest Athletic Conference to the NFL.

Still, those stats aren't an accident. Watson exhibits vision and breakaway speed. The Raiders already have, at least on paper, a solid running back group. Adding Watson would give Oakland the opportunity to find out if Watson is for real or not.

Experts' First-Round Predictions

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

It's come down to two positions among the analysts regarding what need Oakland must address with the fourth overall pick: defensive lineman or wide receiver. There's disagreement over which position is a bigger need. And while there's a consensus regarding a pass-rusher, there's disagreement over which wide receiver would be the best option.

After looking at 15 mock drafts from a variety of writers and sources, these were the results.

Projected Selection: Leonard Williams, DL (USC)

• Dane Brugler, NFLDraftScout.com senior analyst: "With the fifth pick a year ago, arguably the best player [Khalil Mack] in the draft fell to Oakland. And it could happen again this year if Williams is still on the board with the fourth pick."
• Maurice Moton, Bleacher Report featured columnist: "Yes, there was a slight flitch for Amari Cooper. Nonetheless, I already had two other wide receivers in mind that may not be as sharp as Cooper but can still contribute right away. Keep in mind this is a deep WR class. A defensive line featuring Williams out of USC, Dan Williams, veteran Justin Tuck and possibly Khalil Mack will beat the respect out of opponents...The idea is to help the young cornerbacks as much as possible by dominating the trenches up front. That means stopping the run to avoid biting on play-action passes and keeping quarterbacks on the run with limited time to make decisions."
• WalterFootball.com: "The Raiders definitely wouldn't mind landing Leonard Williams. He would fill a huge need...Williams told Oakland that he would love to play for them...teams aren't as high on Williams as the media is...Perhaps some will be surprised if Williams falls to No. 4, but the Raiders will happily take him."
• Mel Kiper, ESPN NFL draft analyst and Todd McShay, ESPN college football and NFL draft analyst: "Last year, the Raiders added a versatile linebacker who is exceptional against the run and has big upside as a pass-rusher. That was Khalil Mack. Now I'm adding the defensive line version in Williams. If Cooper is here it's a tough call, but this is a deep class of WRs."
• Daniel Jeremiah, NFL Media analyst: "Williams and Khalil Mack would be a dynamic combination."

Projected Selection: Kevin White, WR (West Virginia)

• Barry Wilner, AP Pro Football Writer: "Al Davis would be proud of the folks now running his team if they select a breakaway threat receiver—exactly what he would have done. Philosophy hasn't changed much in Oakland."
• Brian Baldinger, NFL.com: "The Raiders will jump on Fowler or Williams if either is still on the board, but they'll be quite happy with White."
• DraftTek.com: "Amari Cooper seems to be the trendy pick once again as the post-combine hype for White seems to have come back down to earth. Barring Leonard Williams' availability at #4, the former Mountaineer is the best selection to elevate Carr's league-last yards per attempt. Reggie McKenzie took care of 'solid' by signing Michael Crabtree. Now, it's time to take a gamble on 'spectacular' with the 4.35 speed of the bigger, stronger White."
• Vic Tafur, San Francisco Chronicle (via the Los Angeles Times): "Even though there's no consensus on who's the best receiver in this class, the Raiders would lean toward the bigger White over Amari Cooper."
• Charley Casserly, NFL Media analyst: "Derek Carr gets a talented receiver in White."

Project Selection: Amari Cooper, WR (Alabama)

• Lance Zierlein, NFL Media draft analyst: "Ultimately, the Raiders opt for the safe wide receiver selection to help Derek Carr and the offense, passing on an edge rusher."
• Doug Farrar, SI.com contributing NFL writer: "Given the Raiders' history of going for deep speed receivers, West Virginia's Kevin White would certainly seem to be an appealing option with the fourth overall pick. But in 2014, rookie quarterback Derek Carr completed just 15 of the 71 passes he attempted that went 20 or more yards in the air. That said, Carr was the most prolific and efficient first-year quarterback last season, and he did it predominantly with short passes. If that trend continues, Cooper is the better play because he has a preternatural understanding of route concepts, timing up with passes and getting open in short spaces.​"
• Charles Davis, NFL Media analyst: "An even tougher decision for the Raiders with my top-rated defender [USC's Williams] still on the board, but getting second-year QB Derek Carr his primary target for the next 5-7 years wins out."
• Rob Rang, The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com: "Derek Carr showed flashes as a rookie of being the young signal-caller capable of turning this franchise around. Adding another weapon for him would seem like a logical choice. Talent evaluators are split on Cooper and West Virginia's Kevin White as the top receiver in the 2015 draft. Cooper (6-1, 211 pounds) is smaller than White (6-3, 215) but is more polished."
• Bucky Brooks, NFL Media analyst: "Derek Carr would love to have a polished No. 1 WR like Cooper to target on the perimeter."

What we can take from these projections:

• All 15 analysts have Oakland addressing one of two positions—defensive end or wide receiver—by taking one of three players: Leonard Williams, Amari Cooper or Kevin White.
• Only six analysts have Williams falling out of the top three. Aside from NFL.com's Davis, they all have Oakland taking the defensive lineman. The consensus is that Williams sits at the top of Oakland's overall big board. If he's there, he'll be the pick.
• If Williams is gone, the analysts are unanimous in that Oakland will take a wide receiver. However, opinion is split evenly over whether that wide receiver should be Cooper or White. Of the 10 analysts listed here that have Oakland taking a wide receiver, five selected White, and five selected Cooper. 

Other observations:

• WalterFootball.com makes an interesting observation in pointing out that "teams aren't as high on Williams as the media is." There are certainly some concerns regarding Williams that haven't been as widely publicized, including questions about his quickness off the snap. He'd certainly be a great at fourth overall, but he's still a young player with plenty to work on. However, if he's there, it would be surprising (though not shocking) to see Oakland pick someone else.
• The analysts' even split between White and Cooper is reflective of the real-life dilemma. If the Raiders do end up taking a wide receiver at fourth overall, it's essentially a coin flip trying to figure out which player they would take. No matter how you look at it, it's a toss-up.
• The debate between Cooper and White has essentially come down to "the more sure thing" versus "higher upside." Whether that's accurate or not, that's the perception, one that certainly exists somewhere within the Raiders organization.
• These mock drafts were selected at random from a wide variety of respected analysts. The fact there were exactly five predictions for each prospect was completely incidental and also insightful, regarding the options Oakland has.

Final Mock Draft

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

After all the research, all the studying of film and all the speculation, the only thing that'll matter is the picks themselves. After considering all of the information—teams' needs and players available—this is the final prediction for Oakland's selections in the draft.

Round 1, fourth pick, 4th overall pick

Leonard Williams, Defensive Lineman, USC

The question here is whether Williams makes it out of the top three, and I believe he will.

• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will take QB Jameis Winston.
• QB Marcus Mariota will go second overall, either to the Tennessee Titans or to a team that trades into the second spot for the quarterback.
• The Jacksonville Jaguars will pass on Williams in favor of Dante Fowler Jr. They already have a standout defensive tackle in Sen'Derrick Marks, who plays a role like the one Williams is expected to play. Fowler makes more sense as he will provide help on the edge, which is a bigger need for the Jags.

Williams can play defensive end, but he might be better suited to play on the inside. Either way, he's a one-man pass rush, which is what the Raiders really need. Productive wide receivers can be found later in the draft. Elite pass-rushers, on the other hand, are harder to find beyond the top of the draft. If it comes down to Williams or a wide receiver, Williams is the best choice.

Other options: WR Kevin White (West Virginia), WR Amari Cooper (Alabama), DE Dante Fowler Jr. (Florida), DE Vic Beasley (Clemson)

Round 2, third pick, 35th overall pick

Nelson Agholor, Wide Receiver, USC

Oakland taking a defensive lineman in the first round guarantees a wide receiver in the second. Here, Agholor should be the top target. His measurables are undersold. He's viewed by some as not quite big enough and not quite fast enough, but he's in fact 6'0", 198 pounds, and he ran a 4.42 40-yard dash, which was good enough for seventh-fastest among wide receivers at the combine. He also has instincts that can't be taught.

Some see his ceiling as a slot receiver, and that's OK. However, this undersells his potential. There's a reason why some projections have him going as high as the end of the first round. At 35th overall in the second round, he's a great pick at a position of need for the Raiders.

Other options: WR Jaelen Strong (Arizona State), OG Laken Tomlinson (Duke), WR Devin Smith (Ohio State)

Round 3, fourth pick, 68th overall pick

Tre' Jackson, Offensive Guard, Florida State

A massive guard at 6'4" and 330 pounds, Jackson is the road grader-type interior offensive lineman Oakland needs to fix the terrible running game from last season. He has surprising quickness for a man his size that allows him to beat his defender, get to the second level and continue to block on running plays.

Oakland's biggest issue in the running game was the lack running lanes up the middle. This was due in large part to center and guards not getting a good push. Left guard Gabe Jackson is already in place, and new center Rodney Hudson will be a major improvement over Stefen Wisniewski's subpar play. With Jackson added to this group, the Raiders will be a force up the middle.

This pick comes down to Jackson and Ali Marpet, but Jackson is the more proven of the two. While Marpet will have to grow into the NFL, Jackson's experience playing at a higher level in the ACC makes him more pro-ready. He's a proven performer. And in the long run, Jackson is still arguably the better option.

Other options: OL Ali Marpet (Hobart College), OG Arie Kouandjio (Alabama), OG Mitch Morse (Missouri)

Round 4, third pick, 102th overall pick

Chris Conley, Wide Receiver, Georgia

While the other rounds seem to lean more clearly in one direction or another for the Raiders, the fourth round is up for grabs. This is the spot where Oakland can start to look at who's available that can help the team. A great option here is Conley. With prototypical size at 6'2" and 213 pounds, Conley has the speed to match. He showed this speed at the combine where he ran a 4.35 40-yard dash, tying him with first-round prospect Kevin White.

What Conley brings is something the Oakland offense desperately needs, which is the ability to take the top off of the defense. He's not just on-the-track fast. He's on-the-field fast, a skill he turned into 18.2 yards per catch in his final college season. If defenders don't get to him as soon as he makes the catch, he's as good as gone, and he's skilled enough to consistently get open.

Finding a true deep threat and a very dangerous offensive weapon in the fourth round would be a great selection by the Raiders, and they can get that in Conley.

Other options: G Josue Matias (Florida State), Jesse James (Penn State), DT Christian Covington (Rice), DE Lynden Trail (Norfolk state)

Round 5, fourth pick, 140th overall pick

Lorenzo Doss, Cornerback, Tulane

Doss would join the team as a reserve, but his experience playing zone, press coverage and off-man coverage make him a versatile option for the defense. Regardless of the situation, he's capable of stepping in and providing effective coverage.

While the starting group is currently set, the Raiders still need reserves at cornerback. Doss' versatility makes him capable of backing up every cornerback. He also has something the Raiders are lacking in the secondary: a nose for the ball. He can find the ball in the air, and he has the patience and the hands to make a play.

While currently a mid-round prospect, Doss has real potential to earn significant playing time moving forward. That's a big plus for an Oakland team that still has plenty of questions at cornerback.

Other options: CB Craig Mager (Texas State), WR Stefon Diggs (Maryland), WR Vincent Mayle (Washington State)

Round 6, third pick, 179th overall pick

Anthony Jefferson, Safety, UCLA

Some projections have Jefferson going as high as the fifth round. Others have him going undrafted. That's a pretty big disparity. He's most accurately assessed as a sixth-rounder, which is where the Raiders should look to add him.

One of the things that affected Jefferson's stats in college was his willingness to do whatever the team asked him to do. He spent time both at cornerback and at safety, and he was effective in both roles. 

As he proved in college, he has the size to match up against bigger wide receivers, and he also has the aggressiveness to step up against the run as a safety. While he played both positions in college, he should be a safety in the pros. He's a natural leader, and spending a year learning from Charles Woodson will allow him time to develop into a regular contributor.

Other options: TE C.J. Uzomah (Auburn), DE Zach Wagenmann (Montana)

Round 7, fourth pick, 221th overall pick

Zach Vigil, Inside Linebacker, Utah State

The Raiders aren't looking for a starter at middle linebacker. They're looking for someone to backup Curtis Lofton and be effective in a more limited role, and Vigil could be perfect for the role.

Vigil isn't the most athletic. Despite that, he's an extremely productive defender. He's a sound tackler who can deliver a hit, and he has a constant motor. He's solid against the run, and he's also good in pass coverage, both in reading crossing routes and when dropping into coverage.

As a seventh-rounder, Vigil's most likely initial role will be on special teams. But he also has the potential to work his way into the defensive rotation over time. More importantly, he'll finally give Oakland a true backup at middle linebacker, allowing Miles Burris to move over to his natural weak-side linebacker position.

Other options: CB Quandre Diggs (Texas), RB Terrell Watson (Azusa Pacific)

Unless otherwise noted, all stats taken from ESPN.com. Draft projections are taken from CBSSports.com and NFL.com.

What are your thoughts heading into the draft? Who should the Raiders target and when? Who should they avoid? In your opinion, how does the draft ideally play out? Let me know what you think in the comments section, and stayed tuned on at Twitter @BrianJ_Flores for full Raiders draft coverage throughout the week.