Oakland Raiders: Five First Round Scenarios That Make Sense

Final Thoughts

This year’s draft isn’t so much about finding the foundation pieces the franchise can rebuild on. After a few years of smart drafting and savvy free agent moves, the Raiders are on very solid footing – something they haven’t been on in more than a decade now.

McKenzie has really grown into his role as the GM and though he often takes a ton of heat and criticism, he has these Raiders very well positioned to have success in the here and now, as well as down the road. And even better for Raiders fans, McKenzie didn’t sacrifice the entire future to get us all here.

This isn’t a team that’s being held together with duct tape and staples, this is a franchise built on a rock solid foundation. With young players like Khalil Mack, Derek Carr, Amari Cooper, Gabe Jackson, Justin Ellis, and Clive Walford, among others, as well as veterans like Bruce Irvin, Dan Williams, Sean Smith, Michael Crabtree, these Raiders have been built the right way. This is a team that can be relevant for some time to come.

But for that to happen, for the Raiders to continue growing and competing for Super Bowls, they will need to draft and develop young talent. It’s something they haven’t done well in twenty years, but with McKenzie and Del Rio at the helm, it’s something they’re getting much, much better at.

That’s why this year, they don’t need to find an impact, “gotta have him to plug a hole on day one” player. They can afford to draft a player who maybe sits on the bench and plays special teams for the first year while they are groomed to eventually step into the role.

Next: Raiders Can't Afford To Gamble On Jack At Fourteen

This franchise will be successful – and more importantly, sustain that success – by building through the draft, by grooming young players to eventually take over the leadership of the team. And that’s what they have the chance to do this time out. The foundation has been laid. Now it’s simply time to add the support structures that will hold the franchise up years down the line.

The Raiders may get stuck with a Milk Dud picking at fourteen, but given a little time, it could end up being a Reese’s Cup after all.