2014 Raiders mock draft: Pick 36 is Wisconsin LB Chris Borland

2nd round (36 overall): Chris Borland, LB, Wisconsin

Measurables: 5'11", 248 lbs

40-YD Dash: 4.83

Stats:

2013: 12GP/12GS, 112 Tackles, 8.5 TFL, 4 QBS, 2 FF, 2 FR, 2 Pass Defenses

2012: 12GP/12GS, 104 Tackles, 10 TFL, 4.5 QBS, 3 FF, 3 FR, 6 Pass Defenses

2011: 14GP/14GS, 143 Tackles, 19 TFL, 2.5 QBS, 5 FF, 2 INT, 7 Pass Defenses

2010: 2GP/2GS, 7 Tackles, 2 TFL, 1 QBS

2009: 13GP/6GS 54 Tackles, 5 QBS, 5 FF, 3 FR, 1 INT, 3 Pass Defenses

Totals: 55GP/48GS 420 Tackles, 50 TFL, 15 FF, 8 FR, 17 QBS, 3 INT, 18 Pass Defenses

Awards:

2013: First-team All-American (FWAA), Nagurski-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year, consensus first-team All-Big Ten (coaches and media), Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy finalist

2012: First team All-Big Ten (coaches), honorable mention All-Big Ten (media)

2011: Named third-team All-American by Yahoo! Sports ... consensus first-team All-Big Ten

2010: Redshirt Sophomore year

2009: Big Ten Freshman of the Year (coaches and media) ... first-team Freshman All-American (Sporting News and Phil Steele) ... FWAA Freshman All-American ... honorable mention All-Big Ten (coaches and media) ... UW Rookie of the Year

Career Record: Big Ten's all time leader in forced fumbles, 2nd all time in the FBS.

Analysis:

Chris Borland is one of the most instinctive players in the entire draft. He is short at 5'11" but he is definitely not small weighing in at 248 lbs. Borland might be a reach at the top of the 2nd round, but he wont be available by the time the Raiders pick again in the 3rd.

The type of attitude and motor that Chris Borland brings to the field is exactly the type of presence that the Raiders need in their linebackers. He has a ton of energy and is a quick decision maker, though sometimes too quick of a decision maker leaving him victimized after picking the wrong hole. He is a leader on and off the field with a knack for being in the right place at the right time, and he has an undeniable nose for the ball when he does arrive.

If Oakland really is planning on utilizing a defense with multiple fronts having a player like Chris Borland would be a major tool. He is capable of playing both inside linebacker in a 3-4 and middle linebacker in a 4-3. He also has experience as an outside linebacker and is tenacious when taking on blocks.

Chris excels at run defense with meeting the ball carrier in the hole and at ripping at the ball while tackling. He also has very quick closing speed despite his slow 40 time and he tackles with excellent technique. He is capable of dropping back into coverage if needed but he is better at playing by the line of scrimmage. Borland is also a capable but not elite QB rusher having accumulated 17 sacks at WI.

The player that he is most often compared to is former Miami Dolphins MLB Zach Thomas because of the intelligent, tenacious style of play and because of their similar size with both of them being 5'11 and in the 240's for weight. Zach wasn't the fastest guy on the field but he played with instincts and simply made plays, and that exact thing can also be said for Chris Borland.