Oakland Raiders: Grading Out The 2015 Draft Class

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addresses the crowd in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

For the Oakland Raiders and the rest of the teams around the league, the books have closed on yet another NFL Draft. All of the prospects taken in the draft will make their way to their appointed cities, take some pictures, sign some contracts, get to know their new teammates, their new coaching staff, and the place they’ll be calling home for much of the year. And now is when the fun really begins.

As the teams try integrate their rookie classes into the team’s culture, all that’s left for the rest of us to sort out now is who won, who lost, and what to make of it all.

Reggie McKenzie and the Raiders came into the draft needing to address their two biggest needs – an elite wide receiver and an elite edge rusher. They checked one of the two boxes off of their to-do list, anyway.

McKenzie made a few head scratching moves in the draft, moves that on the surface, don’t appear to make too much sense. He took a couple of players earlier than he had to, and took a couple of players when superior talent was available at the position they selected.

Obviously, McKenzie and Del Rio have a plan, and have a plan for those specific players. Some of them we can see right now, and some we’ll have to wait to see how they develop – or if they develop.

Overall though, it was a very productive draft for the Raiders. McKenzie added ten new players to the roster. Each brings something different to the table, and most have the potential to be cornerstone pieces for this franchise for many years to come.

While not all of these ten prospects will be with the Raiders long term – some may not even make the 53 man roster – there are some real gems in this draft class who can and will help turn the Raiders back into a contender again.

Let’s then, look back at the weekend that was, and grade out McKenzie’s 2015 draft selections.

Next: Round One: Amari Cooper