Oakland Raiders Mock Draft Roundup: What the Experts Are Saying

Your aunt Suzie, annoying little sister and even the uncle who swears he knows more about football than you all simulated a mock draft stating what’s best for the Oakland Raiders, but what do the experts say?

From ESPN pundits to the analytics gurus at Pro Football Focus, varying opinions on the best choice for the Raiders raise intriguing ideas and viable options to strengthen the roster.

Here’s a quick spoiler: Only one offensive player surfaced as a fit for the Raiders, and he’s not likely to fall past the top 10 selections. The rest are all defensive players who could potentially contribute to an improved defense.

General manager Reggie McKenzie sits in an unusual position with a pick outside the top 10, which adds difficulty to the selection process. He acknowledged the pressure in picking the right prospect in a predraft press conference with local reporters.

We’ll evaluate seven suggestions from NFL and draft experts weighing in on the No. 14 overall pick.

Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com: RB, Ezekiel Elliott, Ohio State

File this mock selection under absolute best-case scenario.

CBSSports.com Senior NFL Columnist Pete Prisco dropped Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott past the New York Giants at No. 10 and the Miami Dolphins at No. 13, which goes beyond highly unlikely.

It’s the perfect pick for the Raiders to balance their offense and put together an explosive trio featuring quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Amari Cooper and a complete every-down back in Elliott.

Sorry to pop those dream bubbles, but CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora reported that the Dolphins could move up for Elliott. With that in mind, there’s no way they’ll pass on him at No. 13 right before the Raiders’ pick.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times' Adam L. Jahns, the Chicago Bears will also strongly consider drafting the Ohio State running back at No. 11.

Let’s face it: Unless McKenzie trades up, Elliott isn’t coming to Oakland.

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: DT, Sheldon Rankins, Louisville

Moving on to a more realistic selection, NFL.com's Lance Zierlein projects defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins as the Raiders’ first-round selection.

Rankins to the Raiders makes the most sense. At 6’1”, 299 pounds, he’s considered undersized at his position, but there’s no arguing against production.

The Louisville defensive tackle logged 31.5 tackles for loss and 18 sacks through four years on campus. He’ll play against bigger bodies in the pros, but his instincts, power and quickness should translate into a productive professional career as an interior lineman.

Ironically, the Bears could face a decision between Elliott and Rankins. If Rankins slips past Chicago, only the New Orleans Saints at No. 12 stand in Oakland’s way for the defensive tackle’s services.

The Raiders defensive line would flourish with Rankins bringing pressure up the middle as a one-gap defensive tackle or 5-technique defensive end.

Jon Abbott, Pro Football Focus: DT, Chris Jones, Mississippi State

Here’s a suggestion stretch for the Raiders, per Pro Football Focus analyst Jon Abbott.

Mississippi State defensive tackle Chris Jones recently became the flavor-of-the-week pick and began to surface as a first-round choice for the Raiders. Based on his size and strength, he’s compared to New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson in a Pro Football Focus draft profile.

After viewing the film, there’s potential in Jones, but it’s hard to see Wilkerson in his game beyond size (6'6", 310 lbs) and strength. In the first round, it’s about production more than potential. Jones fits in a 3-4 scheme as a terrific run-stopper who can set the edge, but he’s a second-round talent.

This particular draft class features plenty of top-tier defensive tackles, which pushes Jones’ projection further back. If the Raiders are high on the Mississippi State defensive tackle, he'll be available at the beginning of day two. 

He’s a solid fit for Oakland, but there’s very little reason to reach for him at No. 14.

Todd McShay, ESPN.com: ILB, Reggie Ragland, Alabama

Reggie Ragland has been projected to the Raiders before the draft frenzy. After the front office released inside linebacker Curtis Lofton, the Alabama prospect seems like an ideal replacement.

ESPN.com’s Todd McShay wrote about Ragland’s limitations in coverage but still suggested him as a fit for the Raiders in a 4-3. It’s a poor choice considering a lone inside linebacker must cover a lot of ground in a basic four-man front.

On film, Ragland doesn’t look natural covering in space. At times, he’s lost on passing downs and lacks lateral ability to patrol the field sideline to sideline. He could become a liability against athletic pass-catching tight ends.

This draft lacks overall talent at inside linebacker. However, Ragland’s two-down mastery doesn’t fit a Raiders team that experienced issues with covering tight ends in 2015.

Oakland should continue operating out of a 3-4 scheme or 4-2-5 scheme in nickel packages with a quicker, more athletic linebacker or hybrid safety to combat spread offenses.

Chris Burke, SI.com: CB, William Jackson III, Houston

SI.com’s Chris Burke suggested another recent favorite in draft circles. Cornerback William Jackson III could surpass defensive backs Mackensie Alexander and Eli Apple in draft order.

For the Raiders, Jackson could compete in the slot and excel in man coverage, pending his adjustment in the pros. The senior defensive back has tremendous closing ability to stifle yards after the catch, but he’s susceptible to allowing receivers to run behind him, which sets up a deep ball flying over his head.

Oakland could opt to select a budding talent like Miami cornerback Artie Burns, but Jackson deserves slight consideration for his ability to cover in man-to-man situations as well as in zone schemes. He’s a very lukewarm option midway through the first round.

The deep-ball issues observed in contests with Florida State and Tulane should cause some concern as a No. 14 overall pick.

Secondly, the Raiders already stocked the secondary with three potential starters at the position.

Charles Davis, NFL Network: OLB, Leonard Floyd, Georgia

NFL Network's Charles Davis (via NFL.com) chose edge-rusher Leonard Floyd as the No. 14 overall pick. The Georgia “Jack” linebacker prowls the pocket with a killer instinct needed to excel in the NFL, pending his ability to add bulk.

Floyd’s athleticism, relentless motor and short-range coverage ability pop off the film as anomalies given his 6’6”, 244-pound frame.

However, he’s not strong enough to take on lead blocks on the strong side of a formation.

In the Raiders’ scheme, he’d fit in as an alternative edge-rusher to Khalil Mack, Bruce Irvin and eventually Aldon Smith. It’s a crowded position where he’d see the field in certain packages.

Unless Irvin transitions to inside linebacker or defensive end, Floyd becomes a questionable fit for Oakland in the first round. He’s capable of applying his skill set to an NFL defense, but it’s not a great idea to draft a rotational defender within the top 15 picks.

Peter Schrager, FoxSports.com: DE, Kevin Dodd, Clemson

FoxSports.com's Peter Schrager projected Clemson defensive end Kevin Dodd as the No. 14 overall pick in the draft.

Initially, Dodd comes off as an early second-round pick. However, when comparing his 2015 film to fellow Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson’s tape, you’ll realize they’re close in comparison.

Lawson’s exposure as a starter for three seasons boosts his draft value, but he didn’t break out until starting opposite of Dodd in 2015.

Both defensive ends logged 12.5 sacks and 24 tackles for a loss in 2015—Lawson tacked on an extra half-tackle behind the line of scrimmage.

What’s the point?

If you’re a strong supporter for Lawson in silver and black, Dodd cannot stand far behind in the pecking order. The latter comes into the league with a slightly bigger frame at 6’5”, 277 pounds compared to the former at 6’3”, 269 pounds.

In a strange scenario, both prospects could be available for the Raiders at No. 14, but if Dodd stands alone, he’s a solid choice.

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All college statistics are provided by Sports-Reference.com.