2013 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Predicting the First 10 Selections
By Baily Deeter
3. Oakland Raiders: Shariff Floyd, DT, Florida
Kim Klement, US Presswire
The Raiders were expected to win some games in 2012, but like the Jaguars, the Raiders had (and still have) tons of holes on defense.
Like the Jaguars, the Raiders have a terrible pass rush. While Oakland managed five more sacks than the Jaguars, they still finished with a miserable 25 sacks (31st in the league). Floyd only picked up three sacks on the season, but he finished strong, with three sacks in his final two games (and two in the 2013 Allstate Sugar Bowl). As walterfootball.com states here, Floyd is receiving comparisons to Watt, who has had a spectacular run so far.
Floyd appears to be a top five lock, and the Raiders could pounce on the star defensive tackle if he is there. Oakland isn’t going to take Geno Smith, now that they have Matt Flynn (and Terrelle Pryor as a backup), and their biggest hole is on the defensive line. If Floyd can be an effective pass rusher, he can change the whole dynamic of the defense.
So, the Raiders will take Floyd.