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Oakland Raiders: Six UDFA’s Who Could Crack The 2017 53-Man Roster

By Kevin Saito

May 23, 2017; Alameda, CA, USA; Detroit Lions retired receiver Calvin Johnson (second from left) talks with Oakland Raiders receivers Michael Crabtree (15), Keon Hatcher (14) and K.J. Brent (80) during organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2017; Alameda, CA, USA; Detroit Lions retired receiver Calvin Johnson (second from left) talks with Oakland Raiders receivers Michael Crabtree (15), Keon Hatcher (14) and K.J. Brent (80) during organized team activities at the Raiders practice facility. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oakland Raiders
Oct 31, 2015; Ames, IA, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Paul Boyette Jr (93) walks off the field after losing to the Iowa State Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium. The Cyclones beat the Longhorns 24-0. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports /

Paul Boyette (DT)

Getting back to their need along the defensive front, Paul Boyette out of the University of Texas could help the cause. At 6’1”, 310 lbs., Boyette takes up a lot of space in the middle of that defensive line.

For a big man, he’s active and relatively quick – posting a 5.3 in the 40 at his pro day. Over the course of his college career, the former Longhorn amassed 102 tackles (61 solo), 18 tackles for a loss, and 5.5 sacks.

Certainly not eye-popping numbers, but he was very consistent over his college career. The Raiders don’t need a superstar along the interior of that line (though, it wouldn’t hurt!), but they do need solid, consistent production. They need players who can push and collapse the pocket and make the quarterback uncomfortable. And they need guys who can bring the quarterback down every now and then.

Boyette would seem to check all of those boxes.

The Raiders have some young talent on the interior of the line in Hester, Vanderdoes, Darius Latham, Denico Autry, and Ellis, Boyette is going to have to really show out in camp to make the roster. But with the free agent departure of Stacy McGee and the release of Dan Williams, the Raiders might have a space to fill – a space Boyette might be able to fill nicely.

But given their need for consistent production from that defensive line, if Boyette can have a good camp, he very well could be a valuable part of the rotation. And adding some solid depth to that rotation may just be his ticket to landing a roster spot.

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