Oakland Raiders Roundtable: Final seven-round mock draft
Isaac’s fourth round pick (#110): Nick Nelson, CB
Through three rounds, we have had the team make several moves to bolster the front seven of their defense. In round four, it is time to address the secondary.
The cornerback position is one that is rather weak on the current Oakland Raiders roster. The team still has last season’s first round pick, Gareon Conley, but not much else.
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That is precisely why the team should use their fourth-round pick on cornerback from Wisconsin, Nick Nelson. Nelson is a skilled player who played very well in his final collegiate season. He will likely fall this far in the draft due to a recent meniscus injury during his pro day.
While this injury is unfortunate, it will give the Raiders an opportunity to land a starting caliber corner in the fourth round.
In his final season in college Nelson registered 40 pass break ups, a great statistic. The concern by many comes in the fact that he registered zero interceptions in that same year, leading many to doubt his ball skills.
Even if Nelson is never the type of corner to bring in a lot of interceptions, finding a reliable corner in the fourth round who can come in and start is very valuable.
Kevin’s fourth round pick (#110): Leighton Vander Esch, LB
While not as highly regarded as a fellow linebackers Roquan Smith and Tremaine Edmunds, Vander Esch has that intangible “it” factor Gruden loves in his players. He’s got a high motor, never quits, and loves to play the game.
At six-foot-four, 256 pounds, Vander Esch has the size to man the middle of the defense, and with his speed (4.65), he can go sideline to sideline speed, defending both the run and pass equally as well.
Recent draft picks Cory James and Marquel Lee haven’t proven to be anything other than situational, run-stopping defenders at this point, but Vander Esch could step in and be the three down linebacker they need.
They’ll address their need for an inside linebacker here, by taking Vander Esch, allowing Tahir Whitehead to move to the weak side, where he’s probably better suited to have a bigger impact for this defense.