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There are a lot of mock drafts out there and many of them can be pretty far off of what actually happens in the draft. Few are more publicized than those put out over at ESPN by resident draft gurus Mel Kiper and Todd McShay. The latest release came from Todd McShay who put out a 2-round version (much like I did this week) and the results will have many Raiders fans hoping for what may be beyond hope.
Most Raiders fans, I find, seem to favor either Buffalo outside linebacker Khalif Mack or Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins with the team's pick at number five. In McShay's mock, he has Mack already off the board at number three to the Jaguars. That leaves Watkins as the choice by his estimation.
Here is what he had to say about that pick:
"I'm told that if the Raiders are to select a QB at No. 5, it would be Blake Bortles. With him off the board in this scenario, I think they'd hold off on taking a QB and instead look to add a weapon for Matt Schaub in Watkins. They need help at wide receiver, and Watkins has an elite skill set with excellent acceleration as a vertical route runner and after the catch. He also has great competitiveness and body control on contested catches that allow him to play bigger than his 6-1, 211-pound frame."
As he mentioned, Blake Bortles would be the choice for the Raiders had he been on the board. He was on the board in the SB Nation bloggers mock draft and in that instance, I too had the Raiders choosing Bortles. In my personal mock draft, just like McShay's, I have Bortles off the board and the Raiders therefore choosing Watkins. He has Bortles going to the Browns at pick number four.
After that, for the Raiders, is where it gets strange. And for those who wanted Khalil Mack if he were on the board, this result would please you very much as well.
With the 36th pick in the draft, McShay has the Raiders taking UCLA linebacker Anthony Barr. Are you shocked yet? Barr is projected in the top ten of nearly every mock draft out there right now and rightfully so.
Here is what McShay gives as his explanation.
"I don't have Barr ranked as high as some others, but he is a good speed rusher of the edge who could help in Oakland."
I believe it was Chris Burke from Sports Illustrated who had the appropriate response:
McShay has Anthony Barr falling to Oakland at 36? I'm gonna call shenanigans on that one.
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurke_SI) April 10, 2014
Also among the rather guffaw inducing picks by McShay in his mock draft was Pittsburgh quarterback Tom Savage going 33 overall to the Texans. With the Texans going with Jadeveon Clowney with the top overall pick, apparently he thinks they would view Savage as their franchise quarterback. Okee dokee.
He also has the Chiefs taking Indiana wide receiver Cody Latimer with the 23rd overall pick - a player I have not seen mentioned in higher than a fifth round prospect. Other departures from the norm are Missouri defensive end Kony Ealy falling to pick 38 to the Buccaneers. At least McShay is going out on a limb.
There are always a few surprise risers and fallers in each draft. To think the Raiders were to get Sammy Watkins and Anthony Barr in rounds one and two is firmly in the wishful thinking category.
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