Oakland Raiders could potentially pull a first-round shocker

The Oakland Raiders have a plethora of needs, primarily on the defensive side of the ball – but could there be a shocking first round choice in the works?

The narrative surrounding the Oakland Raiders this offseason has been that they’re going to be looking for defense, defense, defense, come Draft Day. And for good reason. The Raiders haven’t had much in the way of defense, defense, defense, over the last few seasons.

Most commonly, the Raiders have been linked to Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith with the tenth overall pick. It’s a pick that makes sense. They have a dire need for an inside linebacker who can go sideline-to-sideline with speed and power, is dynamite against the run and pass, and is a force of nature in the middle of a defense – and Smith certainly checks all of those boxes.

But, even though it makes sense, is that actually the way HC Jon Gruden and GM Reggie McKenzie are going to roll when they turn in their first round dance card?

We already know of McKenzie’s disdain for taking linebackers in the early rounds, preferring to find “hidden gems” in the later rounds or in the crop of UDFA’s. Nicholas Morrow aside, we’re still waiting for one of those other “hidden gems” to make an appearance.

We’ve seen McKenzie pass on dynamic and talented linebackers in the early rounds time and time again. Most recently, when McKenzie passed over Alabama product Reuben Foster last year. His off the field issues aside, Foster showed the ability to be dominant on the field – something the Raiders lack and something they need.

Yeah, the Raiders may have dodged a bullet, given Foster’s pending legal issues, but he’s also not the first blue chip linebacker McKenzie’s passed on in the early rounds, over his tenure.

All of this to say, although Smith seems to be the most logical and best choice for this team, come Draft Day, there is a possibility we don’t hear his name called when the Raiders are on the clock.

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So who then, would the team be looking to pick up with the tenth overall pick? Could it be Denzel Ward? Vita Vea? Tremaine Edmunds? Derwin James?

Obviously, a lot is going to depend upon the board when the Raiders are on the clock, but one name that hasn’t been mentioned much – if at all – in connection with the Silver and Black, could potentially be on Gruden and McKenzie’s radar.

And that player could be Alabama receiver Calvin Ridley.

We all know that Gruden is an offensive minded guy. We know he likes his offenses to be high powered and explosive. And with Amari Cooper set to be the “headliner” of this offense, they’ve got a solid foundation piece to build on.

But, what about Michael Crabtree?

Crabtree’s status with the team has been in flux since late last season. There have been reports of him coming and going, of him being in the team’s plans, of him not being in the team’s plans.

But, on the heels of remarks made by Gruden and McKenzie indicating Crabtree would be back in 2018, a report surfaced that both he and running back Marshawn Lynch could potentially be on the way out if a restructured (pay cut) deal can’t be worked out.

It’s still possible Crabtree and Lynch could be back in 2018 – but as noted here earlier, it’s not a guarantee for either of them.

And let’s face facts. Although Oakland’s offense has been better with Crabtree lining up on the other side from Cooper, he will be 31-years old this September, so he’s not exactly going to be in the long-term plans for the offense anyway.