Oakland Raiders: Handing out grades for the team’s 2018 draft picks

This pick is going to one of two ways. It’s either going to be an outstanding pick and a tremendous value – one that helps reshape this defense and give the Raiders a legit pass rushing nightmare for other teams.

Or, it’s going to blow up in their faces and they will have wasted yet another high pick on a disappointing player who’s coming in with a lot of baggage.

At this point, it’s a toss up.

Arden Key was once viewed as a first-round – possibly even top-ten – talent while at LSU. He was ferocious and elevated the Tigers’ pass rush to another level.

In 2016, as a sophomore, Key notched 11 sacks, and 12.5 tackles for a loss, to go along with two forced fumbles and three passes defensed. He wreaked havoc on opposing offenses and was impossible for other teams to defend against.

But then, off-the-field problems led to a stint in rehab and some weight gain that many believe factored into a poor showing in 2017 (just four sacks), and was the reason for his plummet down the draft board.

Like most of Oakland’s draft picks this year, Key is huge on potential and has tremendous upside. If he comes into camp looking more like the 2016 version of himself, rather than the 2017 version, the Raiders will have gotten themselves one of the biggest steals of the draft.

Key, when his head is on straight, can be a disruptive, dominant defender. He can elevate a defense, and knows how to get after the quarterback. These are things this defense desperately needs. And the hope is, Key comes in with his head on right and is able to provide those things.

GRADE: B