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Oakland Raiders: Assessing the probability of a few first-round options

By Kevin Saito

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 22: A group of offensive linemen listen to instruction during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 22, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 22: A group of offensive linemen listen to instruction during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 22, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Oakland Raiders
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Denzel Ward

This is another one of those – if he’s there when the Raiders are on the clock – type situations.

With the San Francisco 49ers picking ahead of Oakland at nine – and a very clear need for help on the corners themselves, Ward very well could be heading for Santa Clara when the Raiders are on the clock.

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    • However, if the reported pursuit of Trumaine Johnson plays out how it’s being rumored, and the Raiders do land the former Rams corner, it very likely will shut the door on them drafting Ward and have them looking to shore up another area of need.

    Even if they don’t land Johnson though, it’s hard to see them taking Ward at ten – even though the need for cornerbacker help is huge.

    The reason is that it’s hard to see Gruden starting two rookies on the corners. Last year’s first-round pick, Gareon Conley, is basically a rookie, having missed all but a handful of snaps in 2017. He showed flashes of what he can be, sure, but he’s got some work to do still.

    Starting Ward opposite Conley though – doesn’t seem exceedingly likely. And if there’s one thing Gruden and McKenzie need to accomplish in this draft, it’s getting players who can contribute right away.

    If the chase for Johnson doesn’t pan out, the Raiders may well seek veteran help elsewhere. Or, they could wind up keeping Sean Smith for another season and see how he does in Paul Guenther’s defense.

    Though a solid talent, Gruden prefers veterans in key positions, which could potentially preclude them from taking Ward.

    Probability: Not Completely Outside The Realm Of Possibility, But Probably Not

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