Raiders 2018 Draft Pick or Pass: OT Mike McGlinchey

The past two seasons have shown that the Raiders success is dependent on the health of quarterback Derek Carr. While the Silver and Black boast one of the best interior offensive lines in football, both of their offensive tackles could be improved.

Donald Penn has been a great addition, but he will be 35 and has struggled to stay healthy in the past. On the right side, Oakland signed former Houston Texans offensive tackle Breno Giacomini to a one-year contract. But the 11-year veteran was the 80th ranked tackle last season according to Pro Football Focus, bringing questions as to whether or not he can adequately protect Carr.

With the 10th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Reggie McKenzie and Jon Gruden should have their pick of the litter from the offensive tackle class, including Notre Dame’s Mike McGlinchey who is often viewed as the top tackle in the draft. Should the Raiders select the former Second-Team All-American at ten overall? The staff at Silver and Black Pride weighs in.

Tyler Green (@TylerGreenSB)

While Mike McGlinchey has experience playing left tackle, he projects as a quality right tackle in the NFL. If the Raiders do select an offensive tackle with their first round pick, it should be McGlinchey as he is a polished two-year starter and showed his ability when he held his own against N.C. State’s Bradley Chubb who is arguably the best defensive player in the entire draft.

That being said, McGlinchey is a good player, but he isn’t an elite one. And with so many top prospects that could be available for Oakland including Minkah Fitzpatrick, Roquan Smith, and Vita Vea, it would be mistake passing on a transcendent player for a solid one.

If the Silver and Black have their hearts set on McGlinchey, they would be best trading back and gaining additional picks. In this scenario, the Notre Dame offensive tackle would be a great selection, but not at ten overall given the amount of talent that will still be on the board.

Verdict: PASS

RDreamer (@RaiderDamus)

With so many teams stocking up on elite pass rushers, all teams should have very good left and right tackles. Right tackles being an afterthought is a thing of the past. Mike McGlinchey is an ideal right tackle prospect, but he lacks the elite athleticism teams usually want from a left tackle so the right side is a good fit for him. Lane Johnson is a good example of what teams might see for the future of McGlinchey.

There’s no question the Raiders need a couple tackles of the future, and McGlinchey could be one of them, but Pick 10 is far too high. I’m certain the Raiders will get some calls in Draft Day with all the elite defensive prospects who will be left at that spot, and if the team decides to trade down, the big Notre Dame prospect could be an option there.

Verdict: PASS

BD Williams (@BDWilliams18)

Mike McGlinchey sure looks like a top 10 pick. Coming into the NFL with an elite frame (6’8 310+lbs) to go along with great coaching in college, McGlinchey on paper should be the best LT prospect. However, one has to wonder how much playing next to Quenton Nelson (consensus top prospect) helped cover up some issues with McGlinchey’s game. One of those situations where size actually could hinder a player, McGlinchey is rarely able to get low enough to plow defenders off the ball. While very technical in his pass sets, McGlinchey leaves something to be desired in his play demeanor and you don’t see him finish blocks like his teammates or other OL in this class.

This draft is bereft of top tackle talent and that could very well mean McGlinchey sneaks into the top half of the first round but that would be a result of poor OT depth rather than McGlinchey proving he’s without a doubt worth a top 10 pick.

Verdict: PASS

Ryan Lipton (@Rytime98)

At some point in the near future, Oakland is going to have to take a tackle to hopefully start at right tackle and then take over for Donald Penn at left tackle once his career is over.

But the Raiders’ future replacement should not be McGlinchey. There are question marks about whether or not he will be comfortable on the left side, so using the No. 10 overall selection for a tackle who might not be able to play left tackle would be ludicrous.

In addition, there are too many other skilled prospects who will make an immediate and crucial impact to the team in 2018 on defense. Nothing against McGlinchey as a player, but he is not the pick here.

However, Oakland should look for a tackle later in the draft to learn behind the veteran unit already in place.

Verdict: PASS

Levi Damien (@LeviDamien)

At 10? No. After a trade down? Absolutely. If the Raiders are serious about taking the best player available, they have plenty of positions at which they could make that happen while also filling a need without reaching for a tackle. The tackle class will start in the mid first round and has potentially very good talent that will undoubtedly be on the board at 41 should they not get their guy at 10 or trade down. I like the prospect of trading down to get him, but for this exercise we’re talking about who they should take at ten. So...

Verdict: PASS