Oakland Raiders Last-Minute 7-Round Mock Draft and Top-100 Big Board

After allof  the speculation, prospect reports and endless mock permutations, you’ve reached the final predictions for the Oakland Raiders draft.

General manager Reggie McKenzie and head coach Jack Del Rio revealed a collaborative approach in selecting this year’s incoming rookie class in a predraft press conference, per the team’s official website. The Raiders’ decision-makers have eight picks to fully assemble a playoff contender for the upcoming season.

During the press conference, McKenzie mentioned taking the best player available but opted not to go into specifics about differences in opinions in the war room.

Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller talked to a source inside the organization who dropped a polarizing name as a potential target: Robert Nkemdiche:

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A coaching source in Oakland said the Raiders would love Elliott to fall to them, but a realistic option is a big defensive tackle or left tackle of the future, per the same source. Two names to remember, according to the coach I talked to, are Chris Jones and Nkemdiche. 

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It’s still unclear whether they’d take Nkemdiche at No. 14 or prefer to grab him later in the round. Then again, it’s speculation. The Raiders organization rarely gives direct information on potential roster moves, but a prospect with red flags in the top 15 seems like a significant risk for a team hoping to get back into the postseason.

Nonetheless, there’s a consensus leaning toward a defensive lineman as the focus for the first or second round of the draft.

During the predraft session, Del Rio expressed satisfaction with recent signings to revamp the secondary. Don’t expect to see a cornerback at the No. 14 or No. 44 spot.

In addition to the defensive line, Oakland must address the linebacker position with a talent comfortable covering running backs and tight ends in space. Linebacker Malcolm Smith mixed good outings with poor tackling and coverage lapses during the previous season. 

Running backs Roy Helu Jr. and Taiwan Jones underwhelmed as No. 2 options in the backfield. Jones became a liability due to ball-security issues. Helu underwent two hip surgeries in the offseason, per ESPN’s Adam Caplan. Oakland will likely select a running back between Rounds 2 and 3.

On a brighter note, the Raiders don’t have glaring voids on the roster following an active free-agent period.

As previously mentioned, the secondary received a much-needed upgrade with cornerback Sean Smith and safety Reggie Nelson signing onboard. Offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele fills a void at right guard. Linebacker Bruce Irvin adds another pass-rusher to the defensive front. 

The tide continues to turn in Oakland. Now, it’s time to put the cherry on top of an offseason filled with shrewd roster moves. How does the final big board and mock draft pan out? We’ll go through results of an actual simulation, per Fanspeak.com.

Top-100 Big Board

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

Here’s an updated top-100 big board, which you’ll likely see in McKenzie’s office as he watches the draft unfold. 

With a mid-round pick in most of the rounds, it’s essential to compose a comprehensive big board. If a prospect slides, the Raiders can trade up or select him over a shallow spot on the roster.

This board includes UCLA linebacker Myles Jack, Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III and running back Ezekiel Elliott in case the Raiders trade up.

Oakland Raiders Big Board

Rank	Player	Position	School
1	Myles Jack	LB	UCLA
2	Ezekiel Elliott	RB	Ohio State
3	Vernon Hargreaves III	CB	Florida
4	Sheldon Rankins	DT	Louisivlle
5	Ronnie Stanley	OT	Notre Dame
6	A'Shawn Robinson	DT	Alabama
7	Darron Lee	LB	Ohio State
8	Shaq Lawson	DE	Clemson
9	Jack Conklin	OT	Michigan State
10	Andrew Billings	DT	Baylor
11	Eli Apple	CB	Ohio State
12	Kevin Dodd	DE	Clemson
13	Robert Nkemdiche	DT	Ole Miss
14	Vernon Butler	DT	Louisiana Tech
15	Emmanuel Ogbah	DE	Oklahoma State
16	Chris Jones	DT	Mississippi State
17	Jonathan Bullard	DE	Florida
18	Karl Joseph	S	West Virginia
19	Leonard Floyd	LB	Georgia
20	Reggie Ragland	LB	Alabama
21	Jarran Reed	DT	Alabama
22	Su'a Cravens	LB	USC
23	Kenneth Dixon	RB	Louisiana Tech
24	Devontae Booker	RB	Utah
25	Keanu Neal	S	Florida
26	Kenny Clark	DT	UCLA
27	Mackensie Alexander	CB	Clemson
28	Artie Burns	CB	Miami
29	William Jackson III	CB	Houston
30	Vonn Bell	S	Ohio State
31	Jeremy Cash	S	Duke
32	Austin Johnson	DT	Penn State
33	Xavien Howard	CB	Baylor
34	Darian Thompson	S	Boise State
35	Jonathan Williams	RB	Arkansas
36	Taylor Decker	OT	Ohio State
37	C.J. Prosise	RB	Notre Dame
38	Jason Spriggs	OT	Indiana
39	Deion Jones	LB	LSU
40	Joshua Perry	LB	Ohio State
41	Carl Nassib	DE	Penn State
42	Jalen Mills	S	LSU
43	Derrick Henry	RB	Alabama
44	Laquon Treadwell	WR	Ole Miss
45	Kenyan Drake	RB	Alabama
46	Bronson Kaufusi	DE	BYU
47	Germain Ifedi	OT	Texas A&M
48	Shon Coleman	OT	Auburn
49	Corey Coleman	WR	Baylor
50	Cyrus Jones	CB	Alabama
51	Jordan Howard	RB	Indiana
52	Paul Perkins	RB	UCLA
53	Josh Doctson	WR	TCU
54	Cody Whitehair	OG	Kansas State
55	Michael Thomas	WR	Ohio State
56	Jaylon Smith	LB	Notre Dame
57	Sterling Shepard	WR	Oklahoma
58	Sheldon Day	DT	Notre Dame
59	Leonte Carroo	WR	Rutgers
60	Scooby Wright III	LB	Arizona
61	Adolphus Washington	DT	Ohio State
62	Kentrell Brothers	LB	Missouri
63	Alex Collins	RB	Arkansas
64	Will Fuller	WR	Notre Dame
65	Joshua Garnett	OG	Stanford
66	Christian Westerman	OG	Arizona State
67	Yannick Ngakoue	DE/LB	Maryland
68	Nick Martin	G	Notre Dame
69	Rashard Higgins	WR	Colorado State
70	Vadal Alexander	OG	LSU
71	Joe Dahl	OG	Washington State
72	Isaac Seumalo	OG	Oregon State
73	Kamalei Correa	LB	Boise State
74	Connor McGovern	OG	Missouri
75	Tyler Matakevich	LB	Temple
76	Kevin Byard	S	Middle Tennessee State
77	Roberto Aguayo	K	Florida State
78	Sean Davis	CB	Maryland
79	Le'Raven Clark	OT	Texas Tech
80	Deiondre' Hall	CB	Northern Iowa
81	K.J. Dillon	S	West Virginia
82	Joe Schobert	LB	Wisconsin
83	Anthony Zettel	DE	Penn State
84	Kenny Lawler	WR	California
85	Nick Vigil	LB	Utah State
86	Eric Striker	LB	Oklahoma
87	John Theus	OT	Georgia
88	Zach Sanchez	CB	Oklahoma
89	Dominique Alexander	LB	Oklahoma
90	Rees Odhiambo	OL	Boise State
91	Jayvon Kearse	S	Clemson
92	Miles Killebrew	S	Southern Utah
93	Nick Kwiatkoski	LB	West Virginia
94	Kyle Friend	C	Temple
95	Jared Norris	LB	Utah
96	Pharoh Cooper	WR	South Carolina
97	Jihad Ward	DE	Illinois
98	De'Runnya Wilson	WR	Mississippi State
99	Ian Seau	DE	Nevada
100	Brandon Shell	OT	South Carolina

Round 1

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Round 1, Pick 14: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama

Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins went to the New York Giants at No. 10 in this simulation. As a result, Alabama defensive lineman A’Shawn Robinson falls to No. 14 as an ideal choice.

There’s a lot of unjust criticism of Robinson’s ability to rush the passer, play 5-technique defensive end or translate into a dynamic defensive lineman.

According to CBSSports.com Draft Analyst Dane Brugler, he played every position ranging from 0- to 6-technique at Alabama.

At 6’4”, 307 pounds, Robinson compares in size to New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson as opposed to nose tackle Justin Ellis who weighs 334 pounds. The added weight hinders the ability to cover two gaps and pressure the pocket, which points to Ellis’ struggles when shifting to 3-4 defensive end.

Robinson shows more agility on film, and he’s going to play on fresh legs. According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, he played 57 percent of defensive snaps over the past two years at Alabama; He recorded 3.5 sacks in that span. In a full role as a freshman, he logged 5.5 sacks.

In Oakland, he’ll play the majority of snaps and his production arrow points upward. He’s a quality talent who’s going to set the edge in a 3-4 or push the pocket in a four-man front.

Round 2

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Round 2, Pick 44: Karl Joseph, S, West Virginia

West Virginia safety Karl Joseph’s drop to No. 44 could happen. Raiders fans rave about the him as a first-round pick. However, an ACL injury and a 5’10”, 205-pound frame could drop his spot into the second round. According to CBSSports.com rankings, Florida’s Keanu Neal projects as a first-round choice over Joseph.

If the undersized defensive back remains on the board midway through the second round, it’s a no-brainer pick. He fills a need at strong safety, which allows defensive back T.J. Carrie to play cornerback in the upcoming season.

The West Virginia product will ignite the field with hard hits and shadow receivers with quality man coverage. The Raiders can trust him in center field alongside Nelson, but he’ll excel in attacking offenses downhill as an enforcer in the box and a reliable tackler in space.

Most importantly, the Raiders bring in a long-term solution at the safety position with short-term contracts for Nelson and Nate Allen on the books.

Round 3

Lenny Ignelzi/Associated Press

Round 3, Pick 75: Su'a Cravens, OLB/S, USC

The University of Southern California hybrid linebacker-safety falling to the third round should shock you more than Joseph, off a major injury, in the second. Cravens will probably hear his name called in the second round, but the simulation wrapped a gift at this spot. 

Cravens draws criticism as an undeveloped hybrid due to his split time between two positions. Skeptics also point to his slender size as an obstacle in the NFL. Smith, who currently plays weak-side linebacker, stands at 6’0", 226 pounds, and he’s less athletic than the USC tweener who’s 6’1”, 226 pounds.

Don’t make the mistake in categorizing Cravens as too small to play outside linebacker in the pros. The league continues to morph into a quick-paced sport with tight ends galloping down seams for long-distance receptions.

Oakland must change with the league and add a weak-side linebacker who’s more comfortable in pass coverage in multiple schemes.

Cravens logged four interceptions as a true freshman safety. In the following two seasons, he racked up 10.5 sacks at the linebacker position. He’ll become an asset in intermediate coverage and hover around the line of scrimmage as a surprise blitzer.

Round 4

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Round 4, Pick 114: Jonathan Williams, RB, Arkansas 

The Arkansas running back doesn’t garner as much publicity compared to Louisiana Tech’s Kenneth Dixon and Utah’s Devontae Booker, but he has the skill set to become a three-down tailback.

Williams shared the backfield with fellow draftee Alex Collins for two seasons. The latter took over as the sole running back when the former suffered a foot injury that required surgery.

Nonetheless, Williams possesses more skills as an NFL running back compared to Collins. He’s able to catch out of the backfield, which doesn’t show up in his statistics. Though, when targeted as a receiver, he’s a reliable pass-catcher in short routes. He’s a compact ball-carrier who breaks through arm tackles and finishes with toughness near the goal line.

Williams isn’t a dancer with the football. He’s decisive in his direction. He knows when it’s time to juke or simply mow over a defender in the open field. As a footnote to his skill set, he’s a willing pass-protector for the quarterback.

Round 5

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Round 5, Pick 143: Scooby Wright III, LB, Arizona

It’s tough to ignore a former NCAA Defensive Player of the Year in the fifth round. Arizona’s Scooby Wright III deserves consideration at this point in the draft. 

Linebacker Ben Heeney should start at middle linebacker or inside linebacker in a 3-4 setup. Unfortunately, the rookie stands as the only pure middle linebacker on the roster after the front office cut ties with Curtis Lofton during the offseason.

The Raiders need depth at the position. Wright’s skill set projects as a downhill thumper on early downs. He logged 164 tackles, 31 for a loss and 15 sacks as a sophomore. No one can deny his production on the field when healthy.

In a 3-4 package, Heeney and Wright would bring insurmountable energy in the middle of the defense. As a depth player, the Arizona linebacker could make significant contributions in run support and special teams in Week 1.

Round 5, Pick 154: Isaac Seumalo, OG, Oregon State

The Oregon State guard translates into a younger version of Khalif Barnes in the NFL due to versatility. 

Isaac Seumalo has played four positions across the offensive line during his collegiate career, per Zierlein. At 6’4”, 303 pounds, he’s a capable backup center to Rodney Hudson who missed a few games in the previous season. 

If the Raiders need to reconfigure the offensive line due to injuries, Seumalo’s skill set can clean up the mess at nearly every position.

Offensive lineman Jon Feliciano doesn’t seem ready for action on a consistent basis. As a result, the Oregon State prospect may see action as the first off the sideline for fill-in duty at guard or center. 

Seumalo is smaller than the offensive linemen on the interior, but he’s technically sound in his footwork and understands complex blocking schemes.

Round 6

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Round 6, Pick 194: Daniel Braverman, WR, Western Michigan

McKenzie likes digging for gems at smaller schools. Wideout Daniel Braverman should catch his eye during the fifth round with two selections at Nos. 143 and 154.

Braverman resembles Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton to a lesser extent.

The quick-twitch wideout offers quarterback Derek Carr a midfield target to frustrate defenders with delayed instincts. Braverman shows blazing speed with compound routes to shake off defensive backs in coverage. He blossomed as junior with 108 receptions, 1,367 yards and 13 touchdowns. He's also an experienced kick and punt returner.

Despite a solid three-wide receiving set featuring Amari Cooper, Michael Crabtree and Seth Roberts, Braverman would become the best option for bubble screens and short outs toward the sideline with his ability to escape tacklers.

Round 7

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Round 7, Pick 234: Kevin Byard, S, Middle Tennessee State

Here’s another small-school prospect who should catch McKenzie’s attention. Middle Tennessee State product Kevin Byard fits into the secondary as a versatile safety who can play both strong and free safety positions.

Byard logged 318 tackles and 19 interceptions through four years as a starter. He offers solid tackling technique and a ball-hawk mentality on the field. His 5’11", 226-pound stature may turn off some general managers, but his film and production show a player who’s always around the football. 

Byard fits appropriately as a nickel safety responsible for reading the quarterback and making an impact play at crucial moments. He’s a late-round steal for anyone willing to roll the dice on a Middle Tennessee State prospect with tremendous upside.

Draft results were simulated using Fanspeak.com.

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

Free-agent acquisitions provided by: ESPN.com.

Player measurements provided by: NFL.com.

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