Oakland Raiders: One EDGE target in every round of the 2019 NFL Draft

STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 29: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators celebrates a sack during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 29: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators celebrates a sack during the second half against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Oakland Raiders draft
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 19: Quarterback Troy Williams #3 of the Utah Utes is caught between defensive lineman Jalen Jelks #97 and defensive end Justin Hollins #11 of the Oregon Ducks in the third quarter of the Ducks 30-28 win at Rice-Eccles Stadium on November 19, 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Raiders draft Oakland Raiders draft 2019 NFL Draft (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

It can be hard to find players who could contribute in any way in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. Sure there are exceptions here and there, but more often than not, these players aren’t long for the NFL or never become regular contributors at any point in their careers.

But Oregon’s Jalen Jelks has a shot to be one of the few exceptions.

Much like a few of the other players we’ve covered, Jelks is a lanky, quick edge rusher who possesses upside as a pass rusher down the line. He has adequate mobility to slip through gaps and work well in space but doesn’t have the tools/traits to win one-on-one matchups consistently.

Jelks is an active, high-motor type of player who plays hard despite his lack of overall production. In four seasons and 39 games at Oregon, Jelks totaled just 15.5 sacks highlighted by a seven-sack junior season in 2017.

The best chance for Jelks to succeed in the NFL and perhaps with the Raiders would be for him to add on a bit more weight so that he fills out his frame more and for him to become a regular contributor on special teams. With his length and quickness, there’s no reason why he can’t do just that.

Next. Oakland Raiders still need help at the running back position. dark

Since the Raiders have two seventh-round picks, it may not be the worst idea to use one of them on their biggest position of need. And in this range, Jelks would be an ideal fit.