Oakland Raiders: Six most logical targets with the tenth-overall pick

Roquan Smith (LB – Georgia)

Given Oakland’s need for a big-time playmaker in the middle of that defense – and Smith being most often connected to the Raiders in most mocks – it’s almost hard to see them taking Roquan Smith at ten.

They absolutely should. He could be a foundation piece for this team for years to come. If he’s there, taking Smith at ten should be a no-brainer.

But, using a high pick on a linebacker is something both McKenzie and new DC Paul Guenther are philosophically opposed to. They are of the belief they can find value and impact players in the later rounds of the Draft, or in the crop of UDFA’s.

That philosophy – at least, to the extent McKenzie has run it – hasn’t exactly paid off very well.

Gruden and McKenzie have added a number of new linebackers this offseason – Tahir Whitehead (who figures to start in the middle), along with Kyle Wilber, and the recently-signed, Emmanuel Lamur – to team up with Cory James, Marquel Lee, and Nicholas Morrow – with Morrow being the bright spot on McKenzie’s resume of acquiring linebacker talent.

The Raiders also have an offer on the table for NaVorro Bowman, who stepped in and upgraded the defense tremendously last season. If Bowman eventually returns to Oakland, Whitehead will shift outside, giving the Raiders a solid core – and makes it seem more unlikely that they’ll take Smith at ten.

Who knows? Perhaps Guenther will be better at identifying talented and impactful linebackers in the later rounds than McKenzie has been to this point. We can hope, right?

Though they should snatch him up if he’s there – and they may consider it – it’s hard to see them changing their philosophy on drafting linebackers at this stage of the game.

Likelihood: 7/10