Raiders Mock Draft 2018: Projecting Every Pick for Full 7 Rounds
After spending 12 long weeks post-Super Bowl LII wading through what could happen, the 2018 NFL draft will unfold Thursday.
First, there's one final mock draft to discuss before the projections meet reality. For Raiders fans, the offseason has been more exciting than any other in recent memory. Head coach Jon Gruden returned to the coaching ranks to help recommit the Silver and Black to excellence.
Back in the saddle, Gruden isn't just along for the ride with general manager Reggie McKenzie. Without a hands-on owner hovering over his every decision, the $100 million man will create his own vision—one that started during free agency.
Gruden signed several veterans near or older than 30 years old. Skeptics cracked all the jokes possible over his stated wish to bring the game back to 1998.
Now it's time to balance the veteran talent with new faces. Here is where the witty comical cracks end and the competition takes a serious turn.
Fortunately for the Raiders, there's still discussion about multiple teams looking to move up for a quarterback, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. If it happens, expect a top prospect to fall to the Raiders' 10th overall pick.
Round 1, Pick 10: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
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Early in the draft process, it didn't seem realistic that Ohio State cornerback Denzel Ward would be available at No. 10. Now, it seems likely with teams still looking to move up for a quarterback. It's also very possible fan favorites linebacker Roquan Smith and defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick will have their names called before the Raiders selection.
If four signal-callers go within the top 10, either Ward or defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick should fall to the Raiders. Back in March, MMQB's Peter King shared a projection about the Indianapolis Colts' draft plans.
"I'll make one prediction: There's a good chance the Colts aren't done trading yet," he wrote. "After dealing from three to six, I could see them moving down one more time before the April 26 first round."
King doubled down on the prediction in his mock draft published Monday, which included a trade between the Colts and Buffalo Bills. The latter would take quarterback Josh Allen at No. 6.
As for the pick, McKenzie and Gruden shouldn't have to weigh the pros and cons. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller lists Ward as the best cornerback in the 2018 class. Despite signing Rashaan Melvin and Daryl Worley, Oakland still has a need at the position.
Gareon Conley barely played during his rookie year. Melvin only signed a one-year prove-it deal. The Carolina Panthers were willing to trade Worley to the Philadelphia Eagles, who released him after an arrest on multiple charges, including a DUI and disorderly conduct.
Over the past several seasons, the Raiders have struggled to find starting-caliber players in the secondary. With the opportunity to add the consensus No. 1 cornerback, there's no shame in loading up on the back end.
Critics may feel uneasy about Ward's 5'11", 183-pound stature, but he's great in man coverage. In a division with an elite athletic talent in wideout Tyreek Hill and a plethora of receivers in Los Angeles, the Raiders can use all the defensive help possible downfield.
Round 2, Pick 41: Christian Kirk, WR, Texas A&M
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Don't buy the whispers about defensive tackle Maurice Hurst slipping into Day 3 consideration due to his heart issue, per ESPN's Todd McShay (h/t MLive.com writer Aaron McMann). He's too talented, and his skill set is too rare in this class to pass up early in the second round.
The Colts have the Nos. 36 and 37 picks. They'd likely acquire Hurst with one of those selections to fill a void on their defensive line.
The Raiders can still acquire an early impact player in wideout Christian Kirk, who would take over the slot in Gruden's offense.
Oakland exercised wide receiver Amari Cooper's fifth-year option, but that doesn't come without concern for his drop issues over the past three seasons. There's justifiable optimism about Jordy Nelson's ability to put together a solid year, but it's anyone's guess how he performs in his first season away from Aaron Rodgers.
Without Michael Crabtree's consistent production and only optimism for Nelson, the Raiders add another route-running technician to the wide receiver group.
Kirk didn't have stable quarterback play at Texas A&M; in all three of his years on campus, he finished with a different starter under center.
Kirk logged a 1,000-yard season as a true freshman, but the changes at quarterback didn't allow his numbers to explode. He remained productive and left school with 2,856 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns, which is the type of consistency the Raiders need in the aerial attack.
Oakland cannot rely on Seth Roberts as the third wideout, but he's still serviceable in sporadic moments. His blocking ability also took a dive in the previous season.
Unlike Cooper, who had drops at Alabama, Kirk allowed very few catchable passes to hit the ground. As an added bonus, he breaks tackles and has good enough hands and the vision to return kicks.
The Texas A&M product could potentially go in the first round, but D.J. Moore's rising stock could drop a top-notch slot receiver into the Raiders' lap at No. 41.
Round 3, Pick 75: Darius Leonard, LB, South Carolina State
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Here's a non-flashy but necessary name to recognize in the third round. According to NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein, Darius Leonard turned down a preferred walk-on offer at Clemson and made himself known at South Carolina State.
Leonard translates as the do-it-all linebacker in the NFL. He compiled 114 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, 8.5 sacks and two interceptions last season. The production helped him earn Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors.
In defensive coordinator Paul Guenther's scheme, Leonard wouldn't come off the field. He projects as a flexible chess piece alongside veteran Tahir Whitehead, who can play all three linebacker spots. The synergy between the two should help revitalize the Raiders linebacker corps.
In a 4-2-5 nickel scheme, which requires two athletic defenders in the middle, Leonard and Whitehead would cover medium-range routes. The South Carolina State product played above the competition on the collegiate level, suggesting he's ready to apply his versatile skill set in the pros.
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Round 4, Pick 110: Folorunso Fatukasi, DL, Connecticut
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Several prospects on the defensive line have questionable measurables or lack production as a pass-rusher. At 6'4", 318 pounds, Folorunso Fatukasi checks both boxes.
Don't fret over missing out on Hurst within the first 40 picks. McKenzie can look to the fourth round to acquire a defensive lineman with four years experience plus a knack for dropping quarterbacks behind the line of scrimmage.
Folorunso Fatukasi played 44 games at Connecticut. In that span, he logged 14 sacks—7.5 came during his sophomore season. He rarely missed tackles and often found his way into the backfield.
Eddie Vanderdoes will continue to rehab a torn ACL. Treyvon Hester needs more seasoning as a pass-rushing defensive tackle. It's anyone's guess as to whether Darius Latham makes the final 53-man roster. Fatukasi could develop into the 3-technique disruptor this defense needs on passing downs.
With all his experience, he's one of the most polished prospects in this mock draft.
Round 5, Pick 159: Tegray Scales, LB, Indiana
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Selecting a second linebacker in the first five rounds indicates a slight shift in McKenzie's draft philosophy with Gruden on board.
Oakland expressed interest in Junior Galette and Lamarr Houston, per ESPN's John Keim and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport (h/t SB Nation's Levi Damien), respectively. Clearly, the decision-makers feel the need to add a hybrid asset who can rush the passer from the second level. It also could be insurance against the possibility Shilique Calhoun and James Cowser don't become breakout players at the position.
Tegray Scales projects as a playmaking rotational linebacker in his early years who then develops into an every-down starter. The Indiana prospect ran a 4.77-second 40-yard dash and bench-pressed 225 pounds 27 times at the NFL Scouting Combine.
The workout results don't necessarily translate to on-field production, but he possesses some physical traits the Raiders shouldn't ignore as they revamp the linebacker unit.
Scales appeared in 46 games at Indiana. He finished with 17 sacks, eight interceptions and six pass breakups through four years. Guenther could use him as a strong-side linebacker or in nickel packages due to his versatile skill set.
Round 5, Pick 173: Toby Weathersby, OT, LSU
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Left tackle Donald Penn's Lisfranc surgery and the revolving door at right tackle add urgency to the search for a young perimeter protector.
Gruden and offensive line coach Tom Cable could turn their collective attention to Vadal Alexander, Denver Kirkland, David Sharpe or Jylan Ware to fill the need. Nonetheless, don't rule out a guy to be groomed into a starter.
In addition to Alexander, Oakland selects another former LSU offensive lineman. Toby Weathersby has three years' experience at right tackle. Looking at his tape, he's a better pass-protector than run-blocker, but he excelled in both areas during his Tigers tenure.
A long wait to add an offensive tackle could suggest the coaching staff's confidence in the talent already on the roster or simply that a late-round steal has been identified. Weathersby has the physical ability to eventually start in the pros, but Cable must help improve his lower-body technique.
Round 6, Pick 185: Marcell Frazier, DE, Missouri
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Barring a trade, McKenzie will look to fill out the back end of the roster and special teams with four sixth-round picks.
Defensive end Marcell Frazier doesn't pass the eye test as a Week 1 starter, but his ability to reach the quarterback could put him on the field in a rotational capacity. The Raiders should still have an interest in pass-rushers, and the Missouri prospect fits the bill with 17.5 sacks over three collegiate seasons.
Frazier brought high energy off the left side of the Tigers defense for the majority of the last two years. He'll need to work on setting the edge against the run, but it's a skill that can improve over time. Denico Autry, who signed with the Colts during free agency, didn't come into the league as a solid run defender but made noticeable strides during the previous term.
Frazier may follow the same the mold. If not, he brings enough on passing downs to earn a spot on the roster.
Round 6, Pick 212: Troy Fumagalli, TE, Wisconsin
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It's still possible the Raiders either trade or cut tight end Jared Cook before the 2018 season. The front office may want to increase an offer to linebacker NaVorro Bowman or simply clear cap space, and the 31-year-old leaves no dead money behind on the remaining year of his contract. The team would save $5.7 million if Cook is moved during the offseason.
In the past, Gruden rarely highlighted tight ends in the passing game. He didn't produce any young emerging players at the position during his stint in Tampa Bay. His greatest success at the position is perhaps Rickey Dudley, who recorded a pair of 500-yard seasons and became a reliable red-zone threat in the 1998 and 1999 seasons in Oakland.
Nonetheless, there's no harm in picking up a 6'5", 247-pounder who can run routes and block at the line of scrimmage.
Keep in mind Gruden decided to re-sign Lee Smith, acquire Derek Carrier and cut Clive Walford. At tight end, Oakland's coaching staff seems to value the thankless duties in providing assistance to the offensive linemen. Fumagalli showed great effort in that area at Wisconsin to go along with two 500-yard seasons as a receiver.
Fumagalli can take the field in two-tight end sets and stand alone as a solid supplement in blocking schemes.
Round 6, Pick 216: Justin Jackson, RB, Northwestern
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Once again, McKenzie will try his hand at sixth-round running back magic. Remember, tailback Latavius Murray entered the league as the No. 181 overall pick in the 2013 draft.
Running backs Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin have one year left on their deals. The latter isn't a lock to make the 53-man roster.
After solid rookie seasons, DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard took a step back in overall production, although the entire offense did under former play-caller Todd Downing.
Nonetheless, with several sixth-rounders, why not take a chance on a potential diamond in the rough within a deep running back class?
At the combine, Justin Jackson checked in at 6'0", 199 pounds. It's not an ideal size for a workhorse back in the league, but his gaudy numbers on the collegiate level suggest he has some potential as a complementary tailback.
Why not just take a tailback who can stay on the field for all three downs? Gruden may want to mirror the Philadelphia Eagles' use of several backs, per The Athletic's Vic Tafur:
"I like to use a lot of personnel groupings. Two backs. You might see Marshawn and Doug in the game together. Then, you might see DeAndre and Jalen (Richard) in there together. If you watched the Philadelphia Eagles play, they had (Wendell) Smallwood and (Darren) Sproles. Then (Jay) Ajayi. Then there’s LeGarrette Blount. Then you said, 'Who the hell is Corey Clement?' They used five different backs and they used them intelligently."
The Northwestern product finished his four-year collegiate career with 5,440 rushing yards and caught 122 passes for 858 yards. He's elusive and goes into high gear in open space. As a ball-carrier or receiver, Jackson could highlight matchup issues for linebackers out of the backfield.
Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden's use of Chris Thompson during the previous year could be an indication of Jackson's potential role.
Round 6, Pick 217: Tony Brown, CB, Alabama
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Gruden reunites defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley with one of his former pupils at Alabama. Tony Brown ran a blazing 4.35 40-yard dash time at the combine. Over the past three years, he racked up 77 tackles.
Brown's speed and tackling ability probably translate into a role as a special teams captain. It's an overlooked phase of the game but still holds importance in contests that may come down to field position.
Ansley's familiarity with Brown should allow him to extract the most out of the prospect. It's possible the payoff could be a spot in nickel or dime packages.
The speedy defensive back isn't going to roam the field as a ball hawk or shut down a top receiver, but his physical traits make him an intriguing late-round prospect.
Round 7, Pick 228: JK Scott, P, Alabama
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The Silver and Black wrap up the 2018 draft with a punter to compete with Colby Wadman. Gruden will insist on training camp battles at all contested roster spots, including special teams positions.
JK Scott experienced an up-and-down four-year collegiate career. As a freshman, he averaged 48 yards per punt, which led the NCAA during the 2014 season, then dropped to 44.5 as a sophomore.
The booming kicks returned during Scott's junior campaign with 47.2 yards per punt, but the average dropped to a career-low 43 yards last year. Still, he's shown the ability to consistently place punts inside the 20-yard line or deep downfield if necessary.
Overall, Scott's 45.6 yards-per-punt average ranks fifth all time in the NCAA.
Scott isn't going to show off entertaining dance moves like Marquette King, but he's not going to ruffle feathers in the locker room either. The Alabama prospect does have a similarly powerful leg, though.
Player measurements provided by NFL.com.
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