Ranking Oakland Raiders' Biggest Needs in 2017 NFL Draft
Start assembling those big boards. The 2017 NFL draft kicks off on April 27. Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie focused primarily on offensive depth during free agency, but he must go full throttle on the team's defense at the draft.
The Raiders can potentially score 35-plus points in any given contest, but the defense must pull its weight outside of edge-rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin. McKenzie doesn't have to go with an all-defensive draft, but six out of the team's eight picks should be utilized on starters, depth and future impact players on defense.
Despite a porous defense, Oakland won 12 games in 2016, but what would happen to the team's chances at winning if quarterback Derek Carr goes down with an injury or struggles against the opposition? Good football teams can win with their strengths. Super Bowl-caliber clubs find multiple ways to close out their opponents.
Can the Raiders consistently depend on their defense to close the deal in a low-scoring, snowy game in sub-zero temperatures? At the moment, it's an unreliable unit with several holes. What voids should McKenzie address during the draft? We'll rank each roster need from least to greatest.
Cornerback
1 of 7
The draft isn't about stocking the roster solely for the following season. General managers must project and see into the future. McKenzie knows the secondary could lose versatile defensive back T.J. Carrie on the free-agent market after the 2017 season. He also saw cornerbacks Sean Smith and David Amerson struggle in deep coverage during the previous campaign.
The front office shouldn't wait for the 2018 draft to pick up a quality cornerback. It's a well-represented position in this year's class, according to one scout, per CBSSports.com draft analyst Rob Rang: "I had one longtime scout, in fact, emphatically state that opinion, commenting that he had first- or second-day grades on a remarkable 22 cornerbacks—far and away the most of any position this year and the most cornerbacks to get such lofty grades over his 20-plus years in the league."
The Raiders don’t need a cornerback. However, another underwhelming season for the secondary, along with Carrie's potential departure, could plunge the team's pass defense into deep peril. It's best to acquire an asset at the position to prevent a disaster rather than deal with a second-level defensive collapse later on.
Offensive Tackle
2 of 7
The Raiders have ample competition at right tackle, but who's the eventual replacement for left tackle Donald Penn? He's playing well enough to sign another one-year extension, but he's turning 34 on draft day. At some point in the near future, the team will have to pivot toward a younger talent to take over an important job in protecting Carr's blind side.
McKenzie should consider picking up Penn's understudy while the veteran continues to play well with clean technique. The rookie wouldn't have to worry about starting right away. He'd hone his craft on the practice field and learn from an undrafted rookie who became a 10-year starter and two-time Pro Bowler.
The front office can select a third-rounder or mid-round pick to address this need. Offensive line coach Mike Tice and Penn could groom him into a starter over the next year or two.
Safety
3 of 7
According to CSN Bay Area reporter Scott Bair, head coach Jack Del Rio expects safety Karl Joseph to take a sophomore leap in the coming season, but the team needs an immediate replacement for Reggie Nelson, who's entering the last year of his contract. The position also needs more than Keith McGill as depth behind the starters. The fourth-year pro has struggled at cornerback and safety during his tenure with the team.
Joseph is the only safety under contract past the 2017 season. With depth issues and an older asset in the starting spot, it's a good idea to double up with picks at safety. North Carolina State's Josh Jones and University of Miami product Rayshawn Jenkins would be a good combination of coverage and hard-hitting talent for the secondary.
Furthermore, the Raiders need young assets who can cover ground, with two slower cornerbacks on the perimeter. Joseph's ability to play centerfield or box safety gives the team flexibility at the position.
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Running Back
4 of 7
Before you scream "Beast Mode" at the screen, running back Marshawn Lynch isn't a Raider yet. The Seattle Seahawks still own his rights. Despite optimism from all parties involved, Oakland hasn't agreed to a deal with the retired tailback, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The team still needs a replacement for Latavius Murray.
Barring an unforeseen change of heart between the teams or the player, Lynch will likely lead the Raiders backfield in 2017. However, the front office should still draft a bruising running back as Lynch's insurance and replacement in two years.
Many people forget the team carried five running backs in the previous season, when including fullback Jamize Olawale. Despite his value on special teams, Taiwan Jones lists as a ball-carrier. Then, of course, the offense allotted the bulk of rush attempts to Murray, DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard.
The decision to draft a running back in the fourth or fifth round would give the team a safety blanket in case Lynch doesn't revert to Beast Mode form or misses time with injury. According to Rang, the team should take advantage of a deep running back class, similar to the point he made above about incoming cornerbacks:
"Adding Lynch to the Raiders' dynamic offense is sure to get Oakland (and fantasy football enthusiasts) excited, but do not expect McKenzie to ignore the position come draft day even if the anticipated trade goes through.
Adding Lynch would give the Raiders an obvious headliner, but the Raiders would still likely take full advantage of this year's depth at the position.
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In the best-case scenario, another ball-carrier would take over for Lynch when he hangs up his cleats on the phone line for a second time.
Defensive Tackle
5 of 7
According to ProFootballTalk via Twitter, the Raiders recently brought defensive tackle Ego Ferguson in for a workout. After the Chicago Bears released the 25-year-old, the Green Bay Packers claimed him off waivers, but he failed the team's physical.
Oakland needs help along the defensive line, specifically in run defense. The Silver and Black gave the green light to opposing running backs throughout the 2016 season. According to Team Rankings, ball-carriers averaged 4.5 yards per carry against the Raiders' porous front-line defense.
It's fair to take Mario Edwards Jr.'s 14-game absence into account during the previous year, but it's not an excuse with Justin Ellis and Dan Williams in the middle. The latter lost his way after a solid 2015 season. The Raiders' homegrown 2014 fourth-round draft pick fills gaps but lacks the quickness to push upfield for tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
To add a sharper bite to the interior pass rush, McKenzie may decide to draft a 3-technique defensive tackle or dynamic 5-technique defensive end.
Outside Linebacker
6 of 7
Signing Jelani Jenkins shouldn't close the deal at outside linebacker to replace Malcolm Smith. Hopefully, the Raiders learned their lesson about handing over starting linebacker positions without much competition—see: Ben Heeney through the 2016 preseason and early in the regular season.
The linebacker crop coming into the league lacks volume in high-quality talent at the top. Haason Reddick, the top prospect at the position on some draft boards, played defensive end at 237 pounds. He's still learning the position. NFL Network's Charley Casserly pointed out his struggles at inside linebacker despite glowing reports out of Mobile, Alabama, at the Senior Bowl.
Zach Cunningham seems like the safe pick; Reddick's impact would be based on projection and skill set. McKenzie could also take a long look at LSU's Duke Riley and Kansas State product Elijah Lee during the draft's middle rounds. Regardless, the Raiders need competition or a potential starter at the position.
Inside Linebacker
7 of 7
Inside linebacker Perry Riley remains unsigned, which means the Raiders don't have a reliable or proven centerpiece to choreograph the defense and react to opposing offense's shift adjustments. Heeney's starting role fizzled before it truly started. He lost green-dot responsibilities before the 2016 season started, which prompted the team to sign Riley off the scrap heap.
Reports haven't emerged on reasons against re-signing Riley. Maybe there's an unpublicized agreement that has yet to surface. In a scenario in which the Raiders feel the need for added help at the position post-draft, expect the 28-year-old linebacker to re-join the team if he's available.
Similar to the outside counterpart, Oakland should draft high at the weakest position on the roster. At the moment, Cory James and Heeney would compete for the starting role.
McKenzie could have decent second- and third-round choices to fill the position in Florida's Jarrad Davis, Ohio State product Raekwon McMillan and Northwestern prospect Anthony Walker Jr. The decision to trade up for Alabama's Reuben Foster also makes sense for a defense in need of an athletic, no-nonsense tone-setter in the middle.
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