With the 24th pick in the first round, the Raiders will be confronted with a lot of value questions. They have needs in several places, most notably at defensive tackle and inside linebacker, but there is a danger in reaching for need. And it’s made all the more difficult having the team’s lowest first round pick since the new regime took over five years ago.
In Mel Kiper’s original first round mock draft, he had the Raiders going with Michigan State defensive tackle, Malik McDowell. We haven’t even reached the combine yet, and suddenly he not only has the Raiders passing on McDowell, but McDowell falling out of the first round altogether.
Kiper switches his pick to Florida cornerback Quincy Wilson. He had this to say about his pick here:
The Raiders have a big need here, and Wilson offers length and experience at cornerback, where he has played in nearly 40 games for the Gators. For the first time in a while, the Raiders can be drafting in the midst of a title window, and I think cornerback help should be a part of the equation on Day 1 or Day 2. Wilson is a good value in this range, too.
Cornerback is widely considered a deep position in this draft, suggesting that great value can be had at this spot. Wilson is the 5th cornerback taken in Kiper’s mock draft, so it better be a deep draft at the position.
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