Raiders: 3 burning questions that remain unanswered after free agency
By Justin Fried
1. Will the Raiders draft a WR at pick No. 12?
For months now, the go-to selection for the Raiders with their first pick in most mock drafts has been a wide receiver. Whether that’s Jerry Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb, or Henry Ruggs III, a receiver seems likely.
After passing on a weak crop of free-agent wide receivers — apart from the cheap Nelson Agholor signing — the team will certainly look to upgrade in what is expected to be a historically great wide receiver class.
But will they do so with their No. 12 pick? There is a reasonable argument against it.
More from Golden Gate Sports
- Raiders: Rookie stock report following Week 3 performance
- 49ers sign new long snapper amidst a flurry of roster moves
- Oakland Athletics win Game 2 of Wild Card round with late-inning drama
- 49ers: George Kittle and Deebo Samuel cleared to return to practice
- 49ers expected to place DE Dee Ford on injured reserve
If one of the top defensive players falls to that pick, it will be hard to pass. Now, it’s highly unlikely we see a player like Jeffrey Okudah or Isaiah Simmons fall that far, but someone like Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown could be an option.
General manager Mike Mayock loves building the trenches first and even though the Raiders are pretty deep at interior defensive line following the signings of Maliek Collins and Daniel Ross, Brown could still be a target.
Of course, the team could always opt to trade down if the option presents itself given how deep the receiver class is and considering they select again at No. 19.
Still, the odds-on bet is that the Raiders draft a receiver with their first pick. Which receiver that will be is anyone’s guess — there’s an argument to be made for all three.
It might be hard to pass on Ruggs’ blazing speed, but Jeudy might be the better scheme fit right now as a perfect complement to Tyrell Williams. That said, it’s hard to go wrong with Lamb’s physical, explosive skill set either.
Next. Complete 2020 NFL Mock Draft: 49ers and Raiders land instant playmakers. dark
It remains to be seen how the Raiders will spend their initial first-round pick. But at the moment, receiver still seems like the obvious choice.