Oakland Raiders: Assessing the probability of a few first-round options
By Kevin Saito
Assuming the trade for Buccaneers stalwart Gerald McCoy was nothing but smoke, Oakland’s need for help along the interior of their defensive front remains.
With Justin Ellis and Denico Autry slated to hit free agency – and their return status uncertain – that leaves the Raiders a touch thin at a position of tremendous need. Let’s be honest here — Darius Latham, Eddie Vanderdoes, and Treyvon Hester aren’t going to get it done.
Which means that the Raiders will likely be looking at adding some help, either via free agency or the Draft. And, given the cost of taking an impact player in free agency – combined with limited cap space – the Raiders may be looking to draft an impact player.
Which brings us to Vita Vea.
At six-foot-four, 347 pounds, Vea takes up a lot of space. But, having run a 5.1 in the 40, he’s showed that he’s quick. And having put up 41 reps in the bench press, he showed off his strength. He’s an active, mobile, mountain of a man who is dominant against the run, and can collapse the pocket.
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Having drawn comparisons to Haloti Ngata and Danny Shelton – though even better versions of them both — he’s shown himself to be exactly what the Raiders need along the interior of that defensive line. He’ll take up space, shut down the ballcarrier, and push the pocket. He’ll also command attention, which will help free Mack up to do his thing.
Given McKenzie’s disdain for using early picks on linebackers, and a stout, athletic defensive tackle being a glaring area of need, Vea is probably – note that we’re not saying definitely – going to be the tenth player off the board in the first-round of the Draft.
Probability: Not A Lock, But Very, Very High