Oakland Raiders: Surprise options at No. 4 during 2019 NFL Draft

Devin White, ILB, LSU

Yes, I know there’s been plenty of chatter about Devin White landing with the Raiders. However, most of them seem to have this sense that it’s more likely he falls to them at No. 24 rather than hearing his name called at No. 4.

In my opinion, there’s a decent chance the Raiders at least consider White with their initial first-round pick. That is, depending on how the first three selections play out. For the time being, though, I won’t touch on those specifics.

Instead, I’ll tell you why the Raiders need White.

First and foremost, they’ve been ignoring the linebacker position for years. Capable veterans continue to be brought in on short-term deals, but no long-term answer has been found. Part of that is the franchise’s unwillingness to spend early-round picks at the position. Maybe it’s time that changes?

The other part of the story is that, put simply, White is a star in the making. A tough, instinctive linebacker who can make plays at all three levels, his elite athleticism shines through on tape. Given the opportunity, White would absolutely take over as the heart and soul of the Raiders defense.