Oakland Raiders Roundtable: Final seven-round mock draft
Isaac’s sixth round pick (#185): Justin Watson, WR
Much of this draft was used to try and build a more effective defense, but in the sixth round the team could use the opportunity to add quality depth on offense.
The wide receiver core of the team is not in any desperate need of an addition, but depth can not hurt. The team could select wide receiver from Pennsylvania, Justin Watson, with their first sixth round pick.
Justin Watson was not on anyone’s draft board until his pro day. He has a strong showing and people took notice. In his time in college, Watson was extremely productive. While this is true it does not say much about his NFL potential.
The competition he faced was simply not up to par. Watson is a big boom or bust prospect, with the potential that warrants a sixth-round pick.
Kevin’s sixth round pick (#185): Perry Nickerson, CB
Given some recent buzz, it’s possible some other team may snatch him up earlier, but if Nickerson is on the board at pick 185, it’s hard to see Gruden passing him up, given the team’s needs in the secondary.
Nickerson’s on the smaller end of the spectrum, standing just five-foot-ten, 182 pounds. But, he’s got speed to burn (4.32 in the 40), to go along with terrific instincts, and is as tough as they come. He’s a ballhawk, matches receivers stride for stride, and can be physical with them.
His lack of size may keep him lower on the draft board of some teams, but he’d be a perfect fit in the slot, and has the ability to play on the outside, given that he plays larger than his smallish frame.
Isaac’s sixth round pick (#212): Ike Boettger, G
As the sixth round continues, the addition of offensive depth also continues. This time it will be on the offensive line, a guard to be specific.
This guard is Iowa’s Ike Boettger. Boettger will fall this far due to his lack of durability and elite athleticism. This is not to say that he is not a skilled player though. He can be a very versatile backup lineman, with the ability to play both guard and tackle at a solid level.
He even played a bit of blocking tight end in college. A player of his versatility is exactly what you want in your backup linemen. Players who can come in and fill numerous positions if needed.
Kevin’s sixth round pick (#212): Ade Aruna, EDGE
Gruden dedicated his fifth-round to prospects from Oregon, so why not devote half of his sixth-round picks to prospects from Tulane?
In Aruna, they’re getting a project. Having been playing organized football for just five years, Aruna has a lot to learn. But, he’s got terrific size (six-foot-five, 262 pounds) and can get bigger and stronger. For his size, he’s got tremendous speed, running a 4.6 in the 40.
He needs some work on technique, but with a pair like Bruce Irvin and Khalil Mack to learn from, as well as a coach like Paul Guenther to help groom him, they could unlock the tremendous potential inside Aruna.
Because he’s so raw and still has much to learn about the game, he should be there for the taking in the sixth-round and could wind up being an absolute steal.