FanPost

Could Ezekiel Elliott fall to the Raiders?

With the current projections of most mock drafts, it seems as if the Raiders may have a fit issue when it comes time for them to pick at #14. There will most likely be a glutton of DTs (Reed, Robinson, Jones, Butler, Nkemdiche) & WRs (Treadwill, Coleman, Doctson), but WR is not a pressing issue for the Raiders, and each of those DT's feels like a reach at #14. Rankins would be a solid pick at #14, but I don't see him getting past the Saints at #12. Trading down could be a solution, but you need a trading partner for that to happen, and its always harder to complete trades on draft day when the clock is ticking.

There may also be a few DEs (Lawson, Dodd, Ogbah) or CBs (Jackson, Alexander, Apple) available, but none of them seem worthy of the #14 pick. The Raiders could go OT (Conklin, Decker), but that really isn't a pressing need this year. They could also go MLB, which is a need, but Ragland doesn't seem ideal for our defense and Lee is a reach. Ideally, a S would be available worthy of the #14 pick, but that doesn't seem like the case. Could it be possible for the top RB in the draft to fall to the Raiders at #14? Most mocks have him going well before the Raiders are on the clock in round one, but let's mock up the first 14 picks and I'll try to show you why it may be possible for Elliott to don the Silver & Black next year.

#1 - Rams - Jared Goff - QB
The Rams trade up because they want their franchise QB. And in my eyes, that is Jared Goff. The Cal QB gets to stay in California and play for the Rams. Between Goff and Carson Wentz, Goff seems to be the more 'ready-now' prospect. Wentz seems like he could use more time to develop, as he only has a two years of experience as a starter. If the Rams were okay with either Goff or Wentz, they would have traded with the Browns for the #2 pick. Goff is ready to go now, and helps lead the Rams and they make a new home in Los Angeles.

#2 - Browns - DeForest Buckner - DE
Most people see the Browns drafting ANOTHER QB with the #2 overall pick, but I just don't see it. They have been burned in the past quite a bit by using their first rounder on a QB, and I think Hue may persuade the Browns to go another route. Draft BPA in a position of need, and address QB in a later round. While DE isn't the top need for the Browns, it is still a need, and Buckner is a game changer. I can see the Browns targeting Cook in round 2 or even Prescott in round 3.

#3 - Chargers - Jalen Ramsey - CB/S
The Chargers are rumored to be drafting an OT in the early rounds of the draft, but I just don't get that logic. The Chargers already have 2 starting OT's (Dunlap & Barksdale) & a backup swing OT (Hairston). They also have 4 O-linemen who have played OT at some point in their pro careers. Plenty of depth at that position. C is more of a concern that OT in my opinion. Their biggest need is S, and Ramsey is the best of the bunch. Arguably the best player in this draft, he helps solidify a secondary that cot torched last year.

#4 - Cowboys - Joey Bosa - DE
The Cowboys need a RB, but #4 is a little too high for Elliott. A play-making DE seems like their biggest weakness anyway. They could try to trade down to a team looking for an edge rusher, and try to target Elliott in the middle of the first round, but that would take a lot of work to complete on draft day. Bosa is the BPA in one of their biggest positions of need. I don't see how they can pass on Bosa here.

#5 - Jaguars - Myles Jack - OLB
His medical update came back with some questions, but I don't think its enough for the jaguars to pass on a game changer like Jack. Its their biggest position of need, and he would solidify their front 7. With Jack and a healthy Fowler Jr coming off the edges, the Jaguars defense looks poised for a big year.

#6 - Ravens - Jeremy Tunsil - OT
The Ravens make the easiest pick of the first round. The best OT prospect, and the player many have going #1 overall before the Titans/Rams trade, falls to them at #6. Not to mention, OT was the biggest hole they needed to fill, with the departure of Kelechi Osemele to the Raiders. He is a day 1 starter and will help protect the huge investment they made in Joe Flacco.

#7 - Eagles - Carson Wentz - QB
With Wentz still on the board at #7, I see the Eagles trading up one spot with the 49ers to snag the QB. Many have QB as a need for the 49ers, but I think they roll with Kaepernick and see what Chip Kelly can get out of him. 12 million is a lot of money to be paying a QB, especially if he isn't even your starter. The 49ers have so many holes to fill, I don't see them using a pick on QB. The Eagles gladly take a QB who was projected to go with either of the first 2 picks.

#8 - 49ers - Ronnie Stanley - OT
Like the Ravens, OT is one of the biggest needs for the 49ers. Their other greatest areas of concern are CB and WR, but no such prospects are worthy of the #8 selection. Stanley is their starting LT from day one and will hopefully bring stability to an O-line that was unable to protect Kaepernick last year. The trade down in round 1 and the addition of an extra pick/player will ultimately help solidify a roster that has a lot of holes in it.

#9 - Buccaneers - Vernon Hargreaves III - CB
The Bucs got torched in the secondary last year, as CB and S were both weak points on the defense. With Ramsey already off the board, no S prospect is worthy of going this early in the draft. So the pick has to be CB in my opinion. And while Hargreaves might be a slight reach, he will be a starter for the Bucs from day one, and therefore justifies taking him at #9.

#10 - Giants - Reggie Ragland - ILB
While RB has been an issue for the Giants over the past few years, their needs at the linebacker positions should heavily outweigh any thought of taking Elliott here. They need help at both inside and outside linebacker. Ragland is the best linebacker in the draft and would help solidify a Giant defense that struggled against the run last year. With a solid D-line in front of him, Ragland could have a big impact as a rookie for the Giants.

#11 - Bears - Leonard Floyd - OLB
The Bears upgraded their front 7 in free agency, but still lack a true pass rusher. And that is their biggest need in this years draft, as they struggled to get pressure on opposing QB's last year. Floyd is the best pass rusher left on the board, and brings in an immediate threat off the edge. He will help on the defensive side of the ball, just by drawing the attention of multiple opposing offensive linemen.

#12 - Saints - Sheldon Rankins - DT
Rankins is one prospect I would love to see the Raiders select with their first round pick, but I just don't see him getting by the Saints. They need help all along the defensive line, and Rankins is the best DT/DE on the board. He is a solid run stuffer and has a very nice pass rush for an internal defensive lineman. He can also play on the edges, and has one of the best motors in this years draft class. The Saints should be ecstatic to get a player of Rankins ability in the middle of the first round.

#13 - Dolphins - William Jackson III - CB
The Dolphins have several positions of need before RB is even mentioned. Their top need is CB and Jackson has been steadily moving up draft boards over the past few weeks. I have even seen some mocks where he goes #11 overall to the Bears who also need help at CB. Jackson helps sure-up a shaky secondary that was the Bucs biggest weakness last year.

#14 - Raiders - Ezekiel Elliott - RB
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