Oakland Raiders: How to add cornerback help in the first three rounds
Third Round Options: Nick Nelson and Kevin Tolliver
While cornerback is one of the team’s most important needs, it is not unreasonable to imagine a scenario where they wait until the third round to address the position. The team may go linebacker then offensive tackle in the first two rounds, or something of that sort and leave the cornerback position until after.
If they do decide to go this route, Wisconsin’s Nick Nelson would be a good option.
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In his final college season, Nelson led the NCAA in passes defends with 21. At the end of this same season, Nelson was granted a spot on the First Team All-Big Ten Defense. His college production is impressive.
The reason for his likely slip in the draft is concerns about his ball skills and how they relate to his lack of interceptions in college. The fact that he had 21 passes defended but zero interceptions is a cause for concern.
Even if they are right and he ever becomes a big interception guy, his floor as a pass defender makes him hard to pass on in the third round. He could still end up being am effective starter without bringing in many interceptions.
A player who is the antithesis of Nelson that will be available in the third round is Kevin Tolliver. Tolliver possesses all the physical attributes and skills you would want from an early round pick, but doesn’t have the college production to match.
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It is not that Tolliver performed poorly in college, it’s just that he was always hurt. He was very impressive in his freshman year at LSU, but was then battling injuries for the rest of his college career.
The flashes of skill Tolliver showed while he was healthy is enough for team’s like the Oakland Raiders to take a chance on him in the third round.