NFL Mock Draft 2018: Todd McShay has Raiders improving the pass rush in his mock 2.0

For his second mock draft of 2018, Todd McShay changed things up slightly. In his first mock, he had them going with an Ohio State cornerback in the first round for the second year in a row. In this one, he has Denzel Ward going to the 49ers at the ninth pick and the Raiders adding some pass rush, nabbing Virginia Tech’s Tremaine Edmunds.

The Oakland defense gave up 5.6 yards per play last season (27th), so help is needed. CB Gareon Conley, last year’s first-round pick, is still an unknown after playing only two games in 2017, which means the secondary is still a question mark. But the Raiders also have a need at linebacker, and with the top two CBs off the board, they can choose between Edwards and Roquan Smith. Edmunds is a better fit for Oakland, as he can play off the line and rush off the edge. He’s an athletic freak who will turn some heads at the combine.

Unsure who this “Edwards” character is McShay suddenly mentions and it would seem random to bring Mario Edwards Jr into the conversation, but let’s move on.

If the Raiders win the coin toss with the 49ers, they would have the 9th pick, so I wonder if McShay would go back to predicting the Raiders take Ward with him on the board.

Edmunds would be an interesting pick. In this mock, he would be the second pass rusher taken, with defensive end Bradley Chubb going at number three to the Colts. Edmunds would be the first pass rushing outside linebacker taken. It would be a BPA type pick where you worry later about how he and Bruce Irving line up together. Basically the same situation the Raiders would be in if Aldon Smith were reinstated.