Oakland Raiders shake things up in post-Combine three-round mock
By Kevin Saito
Jon Gruden has proven that he’s not afraid to mix things up. And as something of a contrarian by nature, he seems to revel in going left when people think he can and should go right. It’s just his way.
Which is why, with arguably the two best pass rushers in the draft in Nick Bosa and Josh Allen off the board by the time the Raiders select at four, Gruden shakes things up by going after an elite receiving talent in D.K. Metcalf.
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At the Combine, Metcalf showed off a rare combination of speed and power, making him an elite prospect who has the potential to be a generational type talent along the lines of a Calvin Johnson.
Knowing that he needs weapons to maximize the potential of quarterback Derek Carr and take the offense to another level, Gruden won’t be able to pass up on a talent like Metcalf. And it helps that he’ll be able to step in and contribute on day one.
Adding Metcalf to a group that includes new addition Antonio Brown and stalwart veteran Jordy Nelson who came on strong in the back half of the year last season, could give the Raiders one of the premier receiving groups in the league. And it could help propel the Raiders offense to some incredibly lofty heights.
Yeah, the Raiders have bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball – most notably somebody who can get to the quarterback – but given the top two pass rusher are off the board as well as his contrarian nature, Gruden won’t be able to resist adding Metcalf to the offense.