Deep Sleepers Oakland Raiders Should Target in 2017 NFL Draft
Ideally, general managers prefer to hit on their early-round draft picks. Draft analysts shine bright lights on high-profile prospects with tremendous upside, who can contribute to teams for five years to a decade. Oakland Raiders executive Reggie McKenzie frequently pulls gems from the depths of his incoming classes.
McKenzie selected running back Latavius Murray, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings during free agency, in the sixth round.
As a seventh-round pick, defensive back T.J. Carrie played well in the slot cornerback spot through his rookie campaign. He's the incumbent to line up at the same position for the 2017 season. It's fair to say he outplayed first-round pick D.J. Hayden on the inside and outside over the past few seasons.
In the previous year, wide receiver Seth Roberts, defensive end Denico Autry, running back Jalen Richard and offensive lineman Denver Kirkland all significantly contributed to the Raiders’ successful 12-4 season—all four went undrafted over the past three years.
There's no doubt McKenzie knows where to use his shovel when digging for late-round and undrafted contributors. The Raiders' No. 24 overall selection will grab headlines, but their sixth- and seventh-round picks could become immediate starters to push this team further into the Super Bowl picture.
Which prospects deserve McKenzie's attention late in or after the 2017 draft?
Damontae Kazee, CB, San Diego State
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Last year, the Raiders defense bailed water due to turnovers. Oakland ranked No. 2 with 30 takeaways throughout the 2016 season.
If defensive assistants Ken Norton Jr. and John Pagano fail to improve the defense via yards allowed, interceptions and forced fumbles would have to compensate for poor production in consecutive years.
San Diego State cornerback Damontae Kazee logged 15 interceptions and 15 pass breakups over the past two seasons. His diminutive size (5'10", 184 lbs) and elite ball-tracking skills likely restrict him to the slot cornerback position as Carrie's replacement, if he signs elsewhere in 2018.
Kazee also racked up 240 tackles through four seasons at San Diego State—a move to free safety may work out for him. Most importantly, he's always around the football whether it's a stop on a tackle or jumping a route for a takeaway.
Other NFL teams will look the other way because he's not big enough to play on the perimeter. McKenzie should have him on the big board.
Rayshawn Jenkins, FS, Miami
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Let's not compare safety Rayshawn Jenkins to the late Sean Taylor who also played at Miami on the collegiate level. However, Jenkins brings aggressive play, jaw-rattling hits and some coverage skill to the field, per NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein:
"Looks like a Miami safety with good size, long arms and an aggressive field demeanor. Looks to punish pass catchers over the middle and running backs looking to finish their runs against him. Has size and physicality to handle run support in the box. Might be able to handle coverage against matchup tight ends. Can chase and challenge the deep throws.
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It's beyond anyone's imagination why CBS Sports projects Jenkins as a sixth-round pick, but McKenzie should have his draft-gem radar up if he's available late on Day 3.
The Miami product has the body frame and tackling ability to interchange with Karl Joseph at the safety spot. Joseph may not have the size to intimidate opponents, but Jenkins possesses the bully attitude to keep receivers heads on a swivel.
Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming
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With a generic name coming out of Wyoming, running back Brian Hill needed to break NCAA records to earn respect throughout the draft process—he didn't rewrite the history books. As a result, CBS Sports labels him a Day 3 prospect, but his collegiate production says otherwise.
Hill rushed for 1,600-plus yards in consecutive campaigns between the 2015-16 seasons, and he became a goal-line vulture during his final collegiate year with 22 rushing touchdowns.
As of today, the Raiders don't have a deal with running back Marshawn Lynch. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the draft may serve as a hard deadline. On April 29, late-round prospects like Hill would fit appropriately in the backfield as Murray's replacement.
Oakland will have several options at this position late in the draft, but Hill's increased production as a collegian should push him to the top of the list.
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Elijah Hood, RB, North Carolina
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At 6'0", 232 pounds, North Carolina ball-carrier Elijah Hood certainly fits the size requirement to complement two smaller tailbacks in the Raiders backfield.
In 2015, Hood ranked No. 16 among ball-carriers in rushing yards (1,463), but he missed two games and shared a larger portion of the rushing workload with T.J. Logan during the 2016 season. The junior tailback logged 858 yards and eight touchdowns before declaring for the 2017 draft.
Minor injuries and a noticeable dropoff in production shouldn't scare McKenzie away from Hood on Day 3. He's a prototypical north-south ball-carrier who can take hits and understands pass-protection schemes.
Oakland doesn't need a ball-carrier who can dominate the backfield with 20-plus carries and 1,000-yard seasons. Offensive coordinator Todd Downing will employ a committee approach with a big bruiser to finish runs as the third wheel within the trio. Hood certainly fits the bill; he amassed 29 rushing touchdowns as a Tar Heel.
Elijah Lee, LB, Kansas State
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The Raiders have multiple needs at linebacker. Unfortunately, this year's draft class isn't chock-full of high-quality talents in the first two rounds. On the back end, Kansas State's Elijah Lee has the skill set to push Jelani Jenkins at the weak-side position.
In his first two seasons with the Wildcats, Lee logged 9.5 sacks as a solid blitzer on the second level of the defense. During his three-year tenure, he notched 209 tackles and five interceptions.
Lee presents sideline-to-sideline coverage ability and poses as a large strong safety with the quickness to shadow tight ends downfield.
Linebacker Malcolm Smith, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers, earned a significant backup role with the Seattle Seahawks as a seventh-round pick out of Southern California and earned Super Bowl XLVIII MVP honors before starting the past two seasons with the Raiders.
Lee may not follow Smith's career pathway, but Oakland could use his skill set to the defense's benefit. Nonetheless, like Smith, he's an athletic linebacker who can pressure the pocket and move downfield with receivers.
Calvin Munson, LB, San Diego State
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Unlike Lee, mentioned above, San Diego State linebacker Calvin Munson projects as a thumper. He stands at a bulky 6'1", 245 pounds with power behind his hits.
Munson managed to flash a different aspect of his skill set over the past three seasons as a starter.
As a sophomore, he notched four interceptions, showing off short-area coverage ability. In the following campaign, the linebacker's best season, he logged 10.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss as a nightmare in the opponent's backfield. He accumulated a career-high 116 tackles in the previous season.
On the professional level, Munson isn't equipped to cover in space or chase tight ends down the seam, but he can compete for a starting spot in the middle.
Munson's ability to take down the quarterback and play downhill football fits the Raiders' needs at inside linebacker. He'd likely have to work his way through special teams duties before challenging for defensive snaps. However, he's an intriguing talent with a loaded collegiate resume.
Stats provided by Sports Reference and Pro Football Reference unless otherwise noted.
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