Raiders 2018 Draft Pick or Pass: DE Bradley Chubb

Due to a top-heavy quarterback class in the 2018 NFL Draft, every position player has a chance to be available when the Raiders pick at ten overall. N.C. State defensive end Bradley Chubb is a perfect example of this as he is widely viewed as one of the best players in his class, yet has been mocked to the Silver and Black twice by Pro Football Focus.

If Reggie McKenzie and Jon Gruden find themselves in a situation where Chubb is still on the board, should they pull the trigger? The staff at Silver and Black Pride weighs in.

Tyler Green (@TylerGreenSB)

Bradley Chubb is hands down the best pass rusher in the draft. He’s racked up back-to-back ten sack seasons at North Carolina State, and is regarded by some analysts as a better prospect than 2017 first overall pick Myles Garrett.

The Raiders currently have two elite edge rushers in Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin, but the Silver and Black could cut Irvin at the end of the season to save $9 million. Imagine Mack and Chubb on the same defensive line for at least the next five seasons. An elite pass rusher is arguably the most important position after quarterback. Drafting Chubb would give the Raiders three of them for the 2018 season.

Verdict: PICK

RDreamer (@RaiderDamus)

Bradley Chubb is a monster, and a physical freak with his size and athleticism. The ‘Freak’ label is apropos, because when I look at Chubb I see Jevon Kearse, who terrorized quarterbacks for years for the Titans and Eagles.

Bradley Chubb is easily the top defensive prospect, just like Saquon Barkley is the top offensive prospect, and both may fall because teams don’t have adequate starters at QB. The Raiders don’t have nearly as big a need at defensive end as they do at other positions, but if they have the opportunity to draft a prospect as good as Chubb, need doesn’t matter. He’s the second best player in the draft.

Verdict: PICK

BD Williams (@BDWilliams18)

Bradley Chubb would be the consensus number 1 player in some drafts but could “fall” come April due to marquee players at other positions and possibly a run on QBs in the top 10. Chubb going to Raiders at 10 could possibly be an even bigger coup than when Mack fell into Raiders laps with the 5th overall pick. Chubb is bigger than Mack and had the benefit of superb coaching in college (all 4 NC State starting DL are expected to get drafted) so he’s coming into the NFL with great technique to go along with his natural abilities. A very clean prospect who would solve the pass rushing issue and would be able to fit into Guenther’s scheme.

Verdict: PICK

Ryan Lipton (@Rytime98)

Chubb might be the best player in the draft and plays the most important position aside from quarterback, pass rusher. There shouldn’t be any imaginable scenario in which Chubb is on the board and the Raiders don’t select him as it would be a dream come true to be able to pair him with Mack and Irvin.

In addition to the pass rush, Chubb is an elite run defender. If there is Mack on one side and Chubb on the other, there will be no room to run for opposing running backs on the edge.

Chubb is a beast at 6-foot-4, 275 pounds and would be a no-brainer selection if he falls to No. 10 overall. If he does, Raider Nation can join me while I jump for joy all day.

Verdict: PICK

Levi Damien (@LeviDamien)

In a league where we know you can’t have enough pass rushers and he is widely considered the best one in this draft, it would take a small miracle for him to make it through nine picks to get to the Raiders. As impressive as his 20.5 sacks over the past two seasons is, his 48.0 tackles for loss is equally impressive. The guy lives in the opponent’s backfield. With what he brings to the table, you basically throw need out the window and make it work.

Verdict: PICK