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It’s always a fun time of the year to try and predict which player your team will draft. It’s also very helpful to follow some of the draft experts in the field to gain some insight into where the Raiders may go with their picks.
With the Senior Bowl around the corner and the NFL draft combine and pro days to follow, players will see their names rise and fall on draft boards over the next four months.
Let’s take a look at an early Raiders 2019 NFL mock draft roundup.
Charlie Campbell- Walter football
4. Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan
“The 6-foot-5, 287-pounder is a rare athlete who could turn into a dominant defender. Scouting sources said in the preseason that Gary had high first-round potential if he put everything together, but during 2018, some team sources felt the junior was more of a mid-first-rounder given his so-so production in college. Gary has a tremendous skill set with rare athleticism, speed and versatility. His upside is off the chart”
25. D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss.
“The Raiders grab a big wide receiver to serve as the No. 1 in Jon Gruden’s offense. After seven games in 2018, Metcalf (6-4, 230) went out for the year with a neck injury. Prior to that, he was playing well, exploiting a lot of man coverage with teams focused on stopping A.J. Brown. In 2018, Metcalf totaled 26 receptions for 569 yards and five touchdowns. He recorded 39 receptions for 646 yards and seven touchdowns in 2017.
27. Greedy Williams, CB, LSU.
“In 2018, Williams has two interceptions, 32 tackles and nine passes broken up. He had some problems against Alabama, giving up multiple first downs, a touchdown, and a longer completion on which Jerry Jeudy burned him with speed. Team sources have also said that the Georgia tape exposed Williams for being vastly overrated by the media. Some evaluators who like Williams see him as a late first-rounder and are concerned about his lack of speed.
R.J. White- CBSSports.com
**TRADE with JAX**
7. Clelin Ferrell, DE, Clemson.
“The Raiders are stocked with draft picks as they look to rebuild the organization under Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock. But since it’s clear the rebuild is in full-force, why not trade down for more picks? The good news for the Raiders is that the draft is replete with impact defensive linemen, so they can feel comfortable trading back from No. 4 if a Bosa or Allen is off the board and still getting a huge talent. Ferrell has 36.5 tackles for loss and 21 sacks over his last two seasons, but he’s also an excellent run defender and would give Oakland a three-down talent on the line.”
25. D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss.
“The Raiders must find a No. 1 receiver after trading Amari Cooper for this pick, and while there isn’t anyone worthy of the team’s first first-rounder, there should be multiple talented pass-catchers vying for position in the bottom half of the first round. Metcalf’s season was ended early by a neck injury, but his upside as an outside receiver gives him the edge as the best at his position heading into the predraft process.”
28. A.J. Brown, WR, Ole Miss.
“Why stop at one Ole Miss receiver when you can have two? The Raiders’ depth chart at receiver is abysmal, so if Gruden and Mayock are committed to building around Derek Carr, I can see them tapping the receiver well twice late in the first round to give him the best chance to succeed. Brown and Metcalf should complement each other well at the NFL level. The Raiders also picked up an extra Day 2 pick by trading down earlier, and they can focus on addressing other needs at that point.”
Matt Miller- Bleacher Report
4. Quinnen Williams, DT, Alabama.
“In a draft class without Nick Bosa, Quinnen Williams would be the type of player considered a No. 1 overall prospect. The only reason he’s ranked No. 2 on my board is because of Bosa’s ability and impact. For the Raiders, landing Williams can completely change the franchise.”
25. Oshane Ximines, Edge, Old Dominion.
“The Raiders missed out on the top edge-rusher in the class thanks to a few meaningless wins, but they come back around in Round 1 and still land a promising pass-rusher from Old Dominion. With Quinnen Williams the first pick and now Oshane Ximines, the Raiders’ pass rush will be terrifying in 2019.”
27. D.K. Metcalf, WR, Ole Miss.
“With their third and final first-round pick, the Oakland Raiders address the offense and look to find a big-play wide receiver to fill the hole created when Amari Cooper was traded to the Dallas Cowboys. If D.K. Metcalf is healthy, he’s that guy.”
USA Today Draftwire
4. Ed Oliver, DT, Houston.
“This isn’t the ideal situation for the Raiders, who have two solid young talents along the interior of their defensive line (Maurice Hurst, P.J. Hall), but need an edge rusher to replace Khalil Mack. But with two more first-round picks, Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden can afford to take value over need and grab a rare talent in Oliver.”
25. Montez Sweat, Edge, Mississippi State.
“After opting for value over need with their top-five selection, the Raiders use their next first-round pick to fill the Vegas-sized hole left by Khalil Mack’s departure. Sweat is a versatile, explosive defender who can wreak havoc in opposing backfields.”
27. Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama.
“It’s a good thing the Raiders have three first-round picks in this draft, because they have a ton of needs on both sides of the ball. In this scenario, the best value is at linebacker, where Oakland desperately needs a three-down playmaker like Wilson, who would be a first-round lock if he declares.”
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