Oakland Raiders: Go defense heavy in initial seven-round mock draft

Although they’re going to have options at the tenth spot, the Raiders will draft arguably, the best player at their greatest position of need – linebacker.

GM Reggie McKenzie has proven over the last couple of years, that he doesn’t have a real keen eye for late round linebacker talent.

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Cory James (sixth round) and Marquel Lee (fifth round) haven’t established themselves as anything more than run stopping, role playing linebackers. Both have proven to be a liability in pass coverage and are most definitely not three-down backs.

In Roquan Smith, they get an elite talent at the position who can do it all. For the Bulldogs, the six-foot-one, 225 pound Smith was all over the field, being a force against the run, and stopping the pass equally as well.

Over his three years at Georgia, Smith amassed 252 tackles (146 solo), 20.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks, three passes defensed, three forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries. He did it all for the Bulldogs, his incredibly productive junior campaign capping off his college career and vaulting him into the top ten picks of the Draft.

If the Raiders are able to re-sign NaVorro Bowman, he will be the perfect mentor for Smith as he adjusts to the pro game. He’ll be able to team up with the still productive veteran and form a lethal one-two punch on the inside of the second level of that defense.

The Raiders watched an explosive and elite playmaker in Reuben Foster go by the boards last season and watched him help make the 49ers defense somewhat respectable. They won’t make that mistake again this season.