Oakland Raiders: Mocking the Top 10 picks of the 2019 NFL Draft
By Kevin Saito
The chorus of voices calling on the Raiders to take Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams has been near deafening. Fans love the idea of getting Williams into a Raiders uniform and given his freak athleticism, speed, and raw power, it’s not difficult to see why.
Still, the Raiders expended not one but two draft picks shoring up the interior of the defensive line when they took Maurice Hurst and P.J. Hall last year. Teaming them with returning veteran Justin Ellis, who is under contact until 2021, it’s hard to see them using another pick on yet another body along the crowded interior of their defensive line. Especially when you consider that Hurst was such a breakout performer last year and even Hall showed some flashes.
No, the Raiders will very likely look at addressing an area that has been severely lacking for many years now and add a dynamic pass rusher like Kentucky’s Josh Allen.
The Raiders had just 13 sacks last year. And three of those belonged to Bruce Irvin before he was released. They couldn’t get consistent pressure and as a result, opposing quarterbacks had all day to sit back in the pocket and dissect the Raiders secondary.
Trending. Realistic draft options for Raiders at No. 4. light
Hence, the Raiders take Allen to pair with Key, giving the Raiders what could be a hugely athletic and explosive tandem – one that could potentially be a powerful and disruptive force.
Some might scoff given the fact that Allen was an outside linebacker in Kentucky’s 3-4 base scheme, rather than a guy who plays with his hand in the dirt every play. But it’s that versatility – as both a pass rusher and an end who can also defend short passes out of the backfield – that makes him much more attractive to a defensive coordinator like Paul Guenther who likes to throw multiple looks at an offense.
Plus, some of us seem to recall them having the same sort of dilemma with a guy who was an outside linebacker in college and was then asked to play on the end in the pros. But that seemed to work out pretty well for Khalil Mack.
The Raiders need a dominant pass rusher. They’ll get it in Allen.