2018 NFL Draft: Immediate reactions, grades for Raiders selection of Brandon Parker at 65 overall

Jon Gruden and the Raiders moved up to the top of the third round to draft North Carolina A&T offensive tackle Brandon Parker with the 65th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. What does the staff at Silver & Black Pride think of the selection?

Tyler Green (@TylerGreenSB)

Offensive tackle was the Raiders biggest need heading into the draft. Parker is a solid value at 65 overal, and helps give Oakland flexibility as they could potentially cut Donald Penn and save over $8 million. But picking two offensive tackles this early has prevented other prominent needs on defense from being addressed.

Grade: B

RDreamer (@RaiderDamus)

I like this pick a lot. The Raiders seem to put a lot of stock in what players do at the Senior Bowl, particularly those from smaller schools, and Brandon Parker was one of the top players at the Senior Bowl this year, dismantling players from larger schools. Parker possesses rare size and athletic ability and the sort of long arms you can’t teach and find only rarely. His faults are things that can be coached up. He has a chance to be very good, and let’s be honest, the Raiders have nothing at RT and had no future beyond Donald Penn at LT. Two tackles was a good idea. Now they can go defense the rest of the draft.

Grade: B

BD Williams (@BDWilliams18)

Gruden is going to protect Derek Carr at all costs. If that means taking a flyer on a small school talent with great upside so be it. Blocking the likes of edge rushers in the AFC West 6 times a year must be keeping Gruden up at night. While its clear Gruden is not thrilled with the depth at tackle, this is a reach if there ever was one.

Grade: C-

Levi Damien (@LeviDamien)

Brandon Parker is a 6-7, 310-pound tackle who is seen as a project with a lot of upside. A lot like first round pick Kolton Miller. He also played for a small school at North Carolina A&T like their second round pick, PJ Hall. But unlike those two, they traded up to get him. And he’s their second tackle in this draft despite needs at a lot of other positions.

Grade: D+