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

Not only is the backfield in flux, so is the receivers group. If the Raiders do what’s been reported and is expected, and part ways with Michael Crabtree, it’s going to leave them a little thin in the receivers room.

Amari Cooper, Seth Roberts, Johnny Holton, and Cordarrelle Patterson will remain – and of that group, only Cooper is assured of coming back.

All of that to say, the Raiders will need some talent in the receivers room and former UCLA standout Jordan Lasley could be a very solid value pick in the sixth-round.

After a productive, but not overly flashy sophomore year (41 receptions, 620 yards, five touchdowns), Lasley put in the work and became quarterback Josh Rosen‘s (himself a possible early round prospect), favorite target.

For the season, Lasley hauled in a Rob Gronkowski-approved 69 catches, for 1,264 yards (an average of 18.3 yards per catch), and nine touchdowns. Not a bad season at all.

At six-foot-one, 205 pounds, Lasley has good size for a receiver, and he’s got good speed. Having a long, athletic receiver like Lasley could allow Gruden to move Amari Cooper inside, where he can create some mismatches and do a lot more damage.

Knowing they need a little bit of help on the offensive side of the ball, the Raiders opt to give quarterback Derek Carr a new toy to play with in the sixth-round.