Raiders Draft Picks 2018: Grades and Analysis for Each Selection
The Oakland Raiders' free-agency plan focused on acquiring seasoned veterans who excelled in particular areas or played under instructors on staff. Head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Reggie McKenzie now look toward their big board to navigate through the 2018 NFL draft for new blood.
For all 32 teams, it's NFL Christmas. The front offices compiled rookie wish lists in hopes their desired prospects remain available when it's time to make a selection.
At No. 10, the Raiders could face several scenarios that may encourage Gruden and McKenzie to move up or down. Like every offseason, there's a dire need to nail the quarterback position, which brings about trade chatter atop the selection order.
Oakland could well come away with the sixth- or seventh-best non-quarterback prospect in the draft class. For a new regime looking to reshape the roster, an early first-rounder should translate into a game-changer.
The Gruden reboot in Oakland brings mystery into the draft plans because of his influence on the decisions. He comes into the selection process with 11 picks. How will the Raiders strengthen the roster in an attempt to push toward a bounce-back season?
Stay tuned for instant analysis and grades on all Raiders draft picks from Thursday to Saturday.
Oakland Raiders 2018 Draft Picks
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Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
P.J. Hall, DT, Sam Houston State
Brandon Parker, OT, North Carolina A&T
Arden Key, DE/LB, LSU
Nick Nelson, CB, Wisconsin
Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
Johnny Townsend, P, Florida
Azeem Victor, LB, Washington
Marcell Ateman, WR, Oklahoma State
Analysts and fans often scream "BPA," also known as "best player available" (regardless of position), when picking within the top 10. Ultimately, roster needs also factor into these decisions.
Oakland could go in a variety of directions to fill depth-chart holes, which leaves their options wide-open. As an offensive mind, Gruden could lean heavily on sculpting the unit around quarterback Derek Carr. On the other hand, he's probably watched this team long enough to know the defense has struggled tremendously under former head coach Jack Del Rio's staff the past few years.
Looking further down the list of draft picks, the Raiders will have a busy Day 3 with eight selections Saturday. It's the time scouts earn their coin after searching far and wide for diamonds in the rough who possess the potential to develop into starters. Rounds 4-7 could mean the difference between an 8-8 and 11-5 season.
Round 1, Pick 15: Kolton Miller, OT, UCLA
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The McKenzie-Gruden tandem decided to trade back in the first round to acquire more picks. They exchanged selections with the Arizona Cardinals, who had the No. 15 spot. Oakland also acquired a third-rounder at No. 79 and a fifth-rounder at No. 152.
Oakland chose UCLA offensive tackle Kolton Miller with the 15th overall pick. After watching the Denver Broncos select pass-rusher Bradley Chubb at No. 5, it's important to protect quarterback Derek Carr.
Donald Penn, who turns 35 years old Friday, underwent Lisfranc surgery. The offensive line had a pre-existing void at right tackle. Assuming the 12th-year veteran recovers before the regular season starts, Miller will compete for a starting job on the right side. During training camp, he may also see reps on the blind side.
After five starts at right tackle as a freshman, the UCLA product dealt with a foot injury as a sophomore, which shortened his campaign to five appearances at the same position. As a junior, he protected quarterback Josh Rosen's blind side in 13 contests with a strong campaign.
Miller put his athleticism on display at the NFL Scouting Combine, but his stature at 6'9", 309 pounds limits his movement and raises questions about pad level at times.
The Raiders passed on all-purpose defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, who remained available at No. 10. Clearly, there's confidence in Miller as a potential starter on either side of the offensive line. However, he's far from a finished product.
Grade: B-
Round 2, Pick 57: P.J. Hall, DT, Sam Houston State
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Defensive tackle P.J. Hall didn't receive an invite to the NFL Scouting Combine, but the Sam Houston State product comes into the league with a strong resume as a pass-rusher.
According to NFL Media analyst Lance Zierlein, he logged 86.5 tackles for a loss and 42 sacks through his four-year collegiate career. For a defense that needs a disrupter in the middle, it's difficult to ignore that type of production from a 6'1", 310-pounder.
Hall has experience at multiple spots, which include as an outside pass-rusher. He moved inside during the previous campaign. On the professional level, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther will attempt to further develop his skill as a 3-technique defensive tackle alongside Justin Ellis.
The FCS product added more proof to his athleticism with 14 blocked kicks. It's clear the Raiders wanted someone with a distinguishable track record for wreaking havoc on the inside. Though, it's questionable as to whether Hall can translate his hyper-productivity against top-notch competition.
It's critical for the coaching staff to develop Hall's skill set during the offseason. There's no timetable on Eddie Vanderdoes' ACL recovery, and Treyvon Hester doesn't quite look like a starting defensive tackle yet.
Grade: B-
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Round 3, Pick 65: Brandon Parker, OT, North Carolina A&T
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The front office added another offensive lineman with the first pick in the third round. More so than Miller, Brandon Parker profiles as a left tackle in the NFL.
Parker spent four years on the blind side. The North Carolina A&T product won Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference offensive lineman of the year between the 2015 and 2017 seasons. More impressively, the 6'8", 305-pounder didn't allow a sack or miss a start on the collegiate level.
As a left tackle in the league, he will need to work on standing his ground against bigger, stronger and faster competition. Similar to Hall, he's unlikely to sustain such a high level of play against the best in the world. On the positive side, his tenure at North Carolina A&T suggests that he's durable with extensive experience at the position.
Penn still has two years left on his contract, per Spotrac, which gives the coaching staff enough time to prepare Parker for pass-rushers the likes of Von Miller, Joey Bosa and Justin Houston within the AFC West.
Overall, it's a selection that goes a bit higher than expected. Secondly, Parker may not see the field for another two seasons. If thrust into a starting spot too early, he could struggle to adjust on the fly.
Grade: D
Round 3, Pick 87: Arden Key, DE/LB, LSU
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It's still unclear what caused Arden Key to temporarily leave LSU in 2017. According to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport, he checked himself into rehab during his collegiate years. Nonetheless, the talented pass-rusher quelled off-field concerns in Oakland. The Raiders traded pick Nos. 89 and 217 to acquire him.
On the field, Key exploded as a productive pass-rusher. He logged 11 sacks to go along with 12.5 tackles for a loss during his sophomore campaign. The LSU standout set the bar high and couldn't replicate the breakout year.
Offseason shoulder surgery and a finger injury factored into his disappointing 2017 term. When coupled with question marks about his time off the field, it's clear why he slipped to the third round.
The Raiders hosted visits with Armonty Bryant, Junior Galette and Lamarr Houston during the offseason. They signed Bryant to a one-year deal, per Spotrac. Clearly, Oakland wants to add an impact player who can pressure the pocket. Key fits the bill. It's also a great value pick at No. 87. Though, according to Bleacher Report's Matt Miller, he must stabilize his weight level.
Assuming the LSU product puts the past behind him and focuses on football, he fulfills a need with a proven resume that caters to what the Raiders want in an edge-rusher. Expect him to take the field on passing downs to help Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin pursue the passer.
Grade: A-
Round 4, Pick 110: Nick Nelson, CB, Wisconsin
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Cornerback Nick Nelson doesn't have the hands to force turnovers, but he's skilled at breaking up passes in coverage. In 2017, the Wisconsin cornerback led the country in that category with 21.
Nelson has the foot speed to recover when faster receivers get an early step on him, but he's prone to penalties in panic mode. According to Zierlein, he racked up 183 penalties yards over the past two seasons.
At 5'11", 200 pounds, Nelson has the size to line up in the slot where the Raiders need help, but the Hawaii-Wisconsin product must tighten up his tackling technique to flourish at the position. Nonetheless, he's physical enough to handle bigger receivers with the quickness to defend slippery slot pass-catchers.
It's worth noting, Nelson tore his meniscus during a predraft workout for the Detroit Lions, but there's good news. Dr. James Andrews performed a less intense procedure, which requires a six-week recovery as opposed to three to four months, per Rapoport.
The Raiders need defensive backs who kill drives with takeaways, but Nelson can at least lock down a receiver with good positioning and timing at the target point. He also brings an added bonus as a punt returner.
Grade: B+
Round 5, Pick 140: Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan
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Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst fell to the fourth round due to concerns about his heart condition, but the Raiders took a flier on him at No. 140. It's not a great pick—it's a phenomenal choice.
Hurst knew about the condition as a freshman at Michigan, and it never caused him to miss a football game. Assuming this trend holds up, Oakland acquired the biggest steal of the 2018 draft.
Hurst has one of the quickest steps out of his stance as a defensive tackle. At 6'1", 292 pounds, scouts may criticize the squatty stature, but he can wreck the pocket with consistency. The disruptive defensive lineman logged 10.5 sacks over the past two seasons.
There's one caveat to Hurst's pass-rushing approach. At times, he lowers his head and misses speedy ball-carriers running through the middle. Other than that, there's very little not to like about his play style.
The Raiders drafted FCS standout P.J. Hall out of Sam Houston State to fill the 3-technique defensive tackle role, but he's behind Hurst on the pecking order. The Michigan product played against top-level competition and excelled. He'll start immediately on the Raiders front line.
Grade: A+
Round 5, Pick 173: Johnny Townsend, P, Florida
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After releasing flamboyant punter Marquette King during the offseason, Colby Wadman remained on the roster as the only player at the position. The Raiders added some competition with the No. 173 pick.
Johnny Townsend spent four years at Florida. He led the NCAA in yards per punt for two years. His career average (46.2) lists No. 1 all-time for players with a minimum 125 punts since 2000.
Oakland targeted a strong leg to replace King. Because of question marks still plaguing the defense, it's important to have a punter who can force the opposition to drive the length of the field.
For those asking, why choose a punter in the fifth round? Two prospects at the position, Michael Dickson and JK Scott, came off the board before Townsend. Still, the Raiders acquired a quality special teamer.
Grade: A
Round 6, Pick 216: Azeem Victor, LB, Washington
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The Raiders went back to the boom-or-bust approach with their draft plan. Inside linebacker Azeem Victor covered the field from sideline to sideline between the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He flashed the ability to thump near the line of scrimmage against the run as a fierce hitter upon contact.
Victor suffered a broken leg at the end of the 2016 campaign. Washington head coach Chris Petersen suspended Victor twice in the following year as a senior. He also returned from injury with added weight that limited his playmaking abilities, per Zierlein.
Between the poor play and suspensions, Victor only started five games in 2017. According to Miller, coaches passed on offering positive insight on his demeanor.
The Raiders hope they drafted the player from the 2015-16 seasons, who's quick to diagnose plays and react with ruthless aggression in pursuit. The Washington product has the physical tools, but does he possess the motivation to develop his game and go through the rigors of a grueling NFL season?
With a question like that at the forefront, it's fair to wonder if the front office should've gone in another direction at a position of need. Maybe the coaching staff still has NaVorro Bowman in waiting.
Grade: D
Round 7, Pick 228: Marcell Ateman, WR, Oklahoma State
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Oakland concludes the 2018 draft with a big target in Marcell Ateman. The Oklahoma State product sat out his junior year with a foot injury and returned to rack up 1,156 receiving yards and eight touchdowns during the previous season.
Fellow Cowboy alum James Washington took the spotlight as the flashy pass-catcher of the pair, but Ateman became a reliable receiver because of his sheer size and sticky hands.
At 6'4", 216 pounds, he's not an athletic burner. The coaching staff must develop his route-running ability to help him gain separation on the professional level. Without nuance in that area, he'll take the field as a one-dimensional receiver with limited deep-ball compatibility.
Nonetheless, Ateman can outmuscle defenders, secure contested jump balls and come down with incredible receptions while covered. Quarterback Derek Carr isn't shy about taking deep shots downfield. Now, he has a target who can rise above double coverage and complete a long reception.
The Raiders have made a concerted effort to go big at wideout with Jordy Nelson (6'3"), Martavis Bryant (6'4") and Ateman (6'4") on the roster. What does it mean? Big-body wide receivers have a wider catch radius, which lessens the margin for error in ball placement.
Grade: B
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