Oakland Raiders: Post-free agency four-round mock draft

The most recent Fanspeak “On the Clock Simulator,” pegged Roquan Smith – the player most commonly linked to the Raiders (who would fill an area of need very nicely) going to the Chicago Bears two picks earlier than the Raiders at ten.

It makes sense, given Chicago’s own needs on the second level of their defense, so it’s not completely outside the realm of possibility.

More from Golden Gate Sports

• Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
• 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
• Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
• 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
• 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve

So, if Smith is taken by Chicago – or anybody else in the top-nine – the fallback position has to be University of Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea.

Despite re-signing Justin Ellis to a three-year deal, and adding Tank Carradine to possibly beef up the interior of the line (he’s played both inside and end throughout his career), Oakland is lacking depth in a bad way.

Having let Denico Autry walk as a free agent, that leaves the Raiders with Treyvon Hester (who was pretty effective last season), and Darius Latham (who was anything but effective last season – when he wasn’t suspended).

Eddie Vanderdoes flashed at times last season, but was for the most part, ineffective. And after tearing an ACL, there’s no telling when he’ll be back – or if he’ll be any better than he was as a rookie.

To put it kindly, in terms of solid, relatively effective defensive tackles, Oakland has Justin Ellis and to some extent, Treyvon Hester. Assuming they slide Carradine inside, he’s been up and down in his career and has been anything but reliable.

Which is why taking Vea at ten makes sense.

At six-foot-five, 332 pounds, Vea’s got size. He’s got enough speed, and more than enough strength. He’s explosive and has the ability to occupy multiple linemen – which will give edge rushers Khalil Mack and now, Bruce Irvin, more favorable matchups.

Oakland needs a big, physical presence on the interior of the line. And although Ellis is stout against the run, they need a body in the trenches who can push the pocket and disrupt the quarterback, giving the edge rushers time to get there — or just collapse the pocket entirely and get there himself.

Vea fits the bill, and given their moves in free agency, it seems the logical choice at ten.