Oakland Raiders: Will Derek Carr and Khalil Mack Have Influence on Draft?
“The Oakland Raiders are now on the clock” is the magical phrase Raider Nation has been waiting to hear, since the last snap of the 2014-15 NFL regular season.
Draft week is here, and franchises across the NFL landscape are facing monumental decisions based on extensive scouting and numerous hours of game-day footage of perspective draft picks.
Organizations tend to work in secrecy and are in “Cloak and Dagger” mode during draft time.
There are your occasional leaks reported by Mel Kiper and various NFL insiders and your over-kill of mock drafts. Opinions and predictions are given on an hourly basis, but in reality, no one knows.
The only thing that can be widely agreed upon is the uncertainty that comes with each draft pick.
Let’s be clear, the uncertainty isn’t only concerning who should be picked but who is actually doing the picking. The notion “too many chefs can ruin any good meal” could easily be applied to any draft room across the NFL.
But unlike the NBA, where star players like LeBron James can “persuade” franchises to pursue a particular player, NFL front offices tend to make all personnel decisions with very little, or any, player involvement.
Should franchise players have a say in the direction a team will go on Draft day?
Do long-time proven veterans like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning deserve input in personnel decisions, or do they even want it? Personnel decisions are best left to the “suits and ties” is the quote most players give leading up to Draft day.
Derek Carr has already displayed a team-first attitude.
"“The best player available. I don’t mind who it is. I want whoever we pick to come in here and help us win Super Bowls,” Carr told “NFL Nation.”"
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Carr has decided to take the diplomatic approach and not “pound the table” for a additional outside threat, presumably, making his job that much easier.
The signing of former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree may not be a signal in which direction the Raiders’ draft is headed. But not visiting Alabama star wide receiver Amari Cooper may be an insight into the mindset of Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, who appears ready to make a deal, according to told CSN California.
"“My phone line is always open,” McKenzie said. “You hear everybody out. If it makes sense and it’s going to help the Raiders, we’ll do a deal.”"
The Raiders may be looking to pair up stand-out linebacker Khalil Mack with another dominant defensive presence.
Leonard Williams has been projected as the top defensive player in this year’s Draft by many draft experts. Pairing Williams up with Mack would instantly upgrade the Raiders’ defensive front.
Williams has already endeared himself to Raider Nation by proclaiming how he would love to play for the “Silver and Black.”
"“The Raiders have kind of been like my favorite, hometown team. I love their colors, I love their tradition, I love their defense,” Williams told nfl.com."
So on April 30th when these famous words are announced, “The Oakland Raiders have selected,” be sure to have your eyes glued on the screen, because you never know what will happen.