Oakland Raiders: Possible First Round Draft Targets After Free Agency

Caleb Brantley (DT – Florida)

Oakland’s need to bulk up and improve their interior pass rush is very well known. With Dan Williams and Justin Ellis underperforming last season, the Raiders weren’t able to generate a lot of pressure up the gut, giving opposing quarterbacks far too much time in a clean pocket to operate – much to the detriment of Oakland’s defense as a whole.

Stacy McGee was by far, Oakland’s best interior lineman last season, notching 2.5 sacks and creating a lot of havoc along the way in what was an injury marred season for him. But McGee is now gone, having signed with Washington and Oakland is left with Williams, Ellis, and second-year man Darius Latham, who did show some intriguing flashes last season.

But it’s clear that they need some rotational help.

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At 6’3”, 307 pounds, Caleb Brantley has been compared favorably to LA Rams star Aaron Donald. And if that’s the kind of production they’d get if they selected Brantley, it would be a tremendous pick.

Brantley plays tough on the interior, especially against double teams. He’s strong enough to shed blockers and quick enough to get through any gaps in the line. Over his three year career at Florida, Brantley notched 80 tackles – 20.5 for a loss. He also tallied 5.5 sacks and a fumble recovery.

He was stout in the middle of that Gator line, often taking on double teams with ease. If he has a weakness to his game, it’s that he can sometimes be a bit too eager. Brantley was flagged for being offside 10 times over the last two seasons. But that is something that can corrected with coaching.

Brantley has a ton of upside, a high ceiling, and could very well be the missing piece the Raiders need on the interior of their line.