[POLL] Who Should the Oakland Raiders Draft In the First Round?
By Kevin Saito
Having signed ten players, Reggie McKenzie and the Oakland Raiders “won” free agency from a “quantity” standpoint. The question that remains, the one still being hotly debated amongst the Raider faithful – mostly because there isn’t much else to talk about at this point in time – is how did Oakland fare in free agency in terms of “quality?”
It’s a question without an easy answer. And one we likely won’t actually be able to answer until the end of the season anyway. But the general consensus among a wide portion of the famed Raider Nation is that McKenzie did a good job of bringing in young, talented playmakers who fill some glaring needs for the team. Others of course, remain bitter that McKenzie couldn’t land the big fish like Ndamukong Suh, Randall Cobb, or even Jeremy Maclin.
But that’s neither here nor there at this point. Debate away until your heart’s content because there are good, valid points to be had on either side of the divide.
Now that free agency has started to peter out though, our attention is being drawn elsewhere. With the NFL Draft just weeks away now, the debate is really beginning in earnest – whom should the Raiders take with the number four overall pick?
Though McKenzie and HC Jack Del Rio definitely upgraded at a number of different positions so far this offseason, there is still much work to be done, and there are still many holes that need to be filled. As McKenzie and Del Rio both are big proponents of building through the draft, they will be looking for some cornerstone pieces to build around, impact players who will be with the team for a number of years.
But the question is, who are those cornerstone pieces?
The conventional wisdom of course, is that Derek Carr needs weapons and that despite the presence of Rod Streater – back from an injury that sidelined him for most of 2014 – James Jones, Brice Butler, and likely Andre Holmes, Oakland absolutely must draft a wide receiver at four.
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Some argue though, that because this year’s draft is so deep and so rich with receiving talent, Oakland could afford to bypass a receiver in the first round and address that need later on. Perhaps with multiple selections. They argue that Streater, Jones, Butler, and Holmes make up a vastly underrated receiving corps, and now that Carr has had a season to develop some chemistry with them, they unit as a whole will be more effective in 2015.
The thinking of course, is that in addition to impact receivers, the Raiders also desperately need a legitimate pass rusher. With Justin Ellis and Dan Williams slated to fill up the interior of the defensive line and push the pocket, Justin Tuck will be at one end position, but the Raiders still need somebody else on the other side.
Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Kevin White catches a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Oakland has some fierce linebackers in Sio Moore and Khalil Mack, players who can get after it and can put some serious pressure on the quarterback. But they can’t if opposing offensive linemen can sit and wait for them to make a move. Having another explosive defensive end who will occupy those big tackles – and create opportunities on their own – will free up Moore and Mack to make some plays in the offensive backfield.
There is merit to both arguments. Coming into the draft, Oakland absolutely must address needs at the wide receiver and defensive end positions first. Of course, they also need to add some depth at cornerback, but this year’s draft is a bit thin at the position, so they may need to look elsewhere for help there.
So the debate that is currently raging is – wideout or defensive end with the fourth pick?
If you go with wide receiver at four, the fanbase seems rather split between Amari Cooper and Kevin White. Pro scouts believe that Cooper is the real deal. Some say that he’s polished, has elite route running ability, deceptive speed, and amazing hands.
The knock on Cooper though, coming from NFLDraftScout.com is that he has a tendency to freelance on his routes at times, and drops too many catchable balls.
If you went with Kevin White, who had an oustanding showing at the combine and really elevated his hype and stock, you are going to get a big (6’3”) receiver who has an outstanding ability to go up and get the jump balls. He’s got terrific body control, and even better hands.
Despite the fact that he ran a 4.35 40 at the combine, some scouts knock him for not having elite level speed. According to scouts, other problems with his game include not being able to make tacklers miss, which could impact his durability, and needing to be more fundamentally sound on his downfield blocks.
So basically, the Raiders can’t go wrong either way they go with Cooper or White. White is taller, slightly faster, and has a better vertical. But Cooper seems to be a bit more polished and refined as a receiver.
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If Oakland bucked conventional wisdom and went with a defensive end, there are many out there who would applaud the move. Many, like HC Del Rio, believe that defense wins championships, and that the Raiders should be focusing on beefing up their defensive unit and creating a nightmare for opposing offenses. It’s an approach that is not without merit.
And if Oakland opted to go that route, there are a number of different options who will likely be available to them. All project to be elite level pass rushers who would put some real teeth into a defense. And the Raiders absolutely need to put some teeth into their defense.
Randy Gregory out of Nebraska is projected to be the first defensive end off the board. After a junior season that saw him post 54 tackles and seven sacks, Gregory opted to throw himself into the draft. He’s big, strong, and fast – all qualities coveted by defensive coordinators. The knock on Gregory though, is that at 6’5” and 235 lbs., he’s too light to play the end position. Some believe he’s going to get eaten up by bigger, stronger offensive tackles and that to be effective in the NFL, Gregory is going to need to put on some weight – though that could impact his speed.
Other options for help at defensive end come in Missouri’s Shane Ray who got himself into the upper levels of draft consideration with a monster 2014 that saw him compiled 65 tackles and 14.5 sacks. At 6’3”, he’s shorter than Gregory, but he’s 10 pounds heavier, and has a terrific nose for the ball.
Other players whose stock shot way up at the combine, who could be options for Oakland are Clemson’s Vic Beasley who has had back to back 12 sack seasons, or Florida’s Dante Fowler who had 14.5 sacks over his three college seasons.
The draft is a bit thinner when it comes to real impact players at defensive end. This year’s class is far deeper and more talented when it comes to the wide receiving position.
So the question remains – should the Raiders go offense or defense with the fourth pick? Should they take a receiver or defensive end? They have needs at both spots, but which should be upgraded first?
It’s time for you to tell us what you think…
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