Cyril has had to correct me three times that the free agency is BEFORE the NFL draft. Once it finally stuck in my head, I realized that what once was a need for a team before free agency and the draft might not be a need come draft time. I thought it was worth examining what that could mean for the Raiders pick at 12.

And I will say I feel like this isn’t guess work, it’s more like I did research and I’m making educated guesses. Have to add that little caveat before people say mean things to me with incorrect spelling and grammar.

Bengals & Washington

Thankfully, we all know who’s going one and two in this draft. It doesn’t change anything for the Raiders at 12.

1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow QB
2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young DE

Detroit Lions

Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

Free Agent(s) To Watch: D.J. Reader DT, James Bradberry CB & Byron Jones CB

Why It Matters: This a team that isn’t afraid to pay for a player they want in free agency. The Lions have a huge need at both the defensive tackle and cornerback position. With reports that the Texans and Reader are nowhere close to an extension, and with Deshaun Watson and Laremy Tunsil’s contracts looming over the team, Detroit has the cap space to sign Reader. Insert Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper, and it’s the same argument for Byron Jones.

If the Lions sign Reader, then I think Jeff Okudah is the pick here. If the Lions sign Byron Jones, then I think Derrick Brown is the pick here. I would think Reader is more likely than Jones, since Reader has turned into a three down lineman and one of the best at his position, and the goal of every team in the NFC North is to make Aaron Rodgers life miserable.

1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow QB
2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young DE
3. Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah CB

New York Giants

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Free Agent(s) To Watch: Jack Conklin OT

Why It Matters:

I can’t tell if this guy is trolling or if he actually believes this. Anyways, ignore the video. I’m sure you’re asking, well Alex what did you post it for then? Because Giants fans are convinced that Gettleman and Co. are taking Andrew Thomas here. That means Thomas would start at right tackle, after dominating at left tackle at Georgia, replacing Mike Remmers, who is an impending UFA. Nate Solder would continue to anchor the left tackle position. Solder carries a $13 million dollar dead cap space if he were to be cut, so I don’t think that’s happening even though he probably shouldn’t have been signed to that contract in the first place. The Giants have $61 million in cap space, and they can afford to make a serious run at Conklin to upgrade at right tackle. And if they succeed, then this pick is Jerry Jeudy.

1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow QB
2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young DE
3. Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah CB
4. New York Giants - Jerry Jeudy WR

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins have $91 million dollars in cap space. They can do whatever they want and still draft Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert. I still like Tua over Herbert.

1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow QB
2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young DE
3. Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah CB
4. New York Giants - Jerry Jeudy WR
5. Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa QB

Los Angeles Chargers

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Free Agent(s) To Watch: Jameis Winston QB & Philip Rivers QB

Why It Matters: I don’t think Anthony Lynn is particularly safe in his position at head coach, and I don’t know how much patience ownership is going to have with him if he has a rookie quarterback at the helm, whether that’s fair or not. I also believe the Chargers are being overlooked as a potential destination for Winston. If he is signed in free agency, I think this is where Andrew Thomas goes, replacing Russell Okung at left tackle. However, it’d be in the Raiders best interest if the Chargers didn’t sign Winston, forcing them to take Justin Herbert. I’ll explain with the Cardinals pick below.

1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow QB
2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young DE
3. Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah CB
4. New York Giants - Jerry Jeudy WR
5. Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa QB
6. Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Herbert QB

Carolina Panthers

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Free Agent(s) To Watch: D.J. Reader DT, James Bradberry CB & Byron Jones CB

[I wrote this before Luke Kuechly retired. I don’t even know what the most logical step for the Panthers is moving forward, as Kuechly is an enormous loss.]

Why It Matters: Bradberry played 92.1% of the snaps this season for the Panthers. That kind of production just doesn’t get replaced overnight. Oddly enough, the Lions and the Panthers both have the same issues and same needs to address. The Panthers also need help on the offensive line so Cam Newton can make it through a full season healthy. What’s funny is if the Lions take Brown the Panthers take Okudah and vice versa.

1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow QB
2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young DE
3. Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah CB
4. New York Giants - Jerry Jeudy WR
5. Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa QB
6. Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Herbert QB
7. Carolina Panthers - Derrick Brown DT

Arizona Cardinals

This is the scariest pick for anyone that wants to see the Raiders take CeeDee Lamb or Isaiah Simmons. The Cardinals have a lot of cap space, but the Cardinals also have so many needs at some many positions. Of course the number one priority is developing and protecting Kyler Murray, but let’s say the Chargers get their quarterback in free agency and then draft Andrew Thomas. Thomas is the best fit for the Cardinals’ long term goals, so if he’s off the board, who are the next best prospects because the Cardinals will be in a BPA situation.

1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow QB
2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young DE
3. Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah CB
4. New York Giants - Jerry Jeudy WR
5. Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa QB
6. Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Herbert QB Andrew Thomas OT
7. Carolina Panthers - Derrick Brown DT

There’s a lot of moving parts, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but there’s a lot riding on the Chargers picking a quarterback at six. Let’s hope the Chargers don’t think outside of the box. If the Chargers stick to whoever is leftover between Tua and Herbert, Thomas finally comes off the board.

1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow QB
2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young DE
3. Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah CB
4. New York Giants - Jerry Jeudy WR
5. Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa QB
6. Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Herbert QB
7. Carolina Panthers - Derrick Brown DT
8. Arizona Cardinals - Andrew Thomas OT

Jacksonville Jaguars

Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

Free Agent(s) To Watch: Cory Littleton ILB & Yannick Ngakoue DE

Why It Matters: We’ve talked about it and I’m beating this topic into the ground. The Jaguars need a Will linebacker to start next to Myles Jack. Simmons is the perfect fit. This is another pick that has a ton of issues. As I stated previously, the Jaguars have no cap room. It’s going to take some work to create cap space if the team plans to make a serious run at Ngakoue. If they can’t get Ngakoue, Littleton is going to be a great consolation and fits a need. Here’s the problem though, if the Jaguars sign Littleton, I don’t know see why they don’t pick Lamb here. He also fits a need and he’s falling into their lap. Still, now that Tom Coughlin isn’t in the way anymore, I assume the Jaguars make a run at retaining their premiere pass rusher.

1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow QB
2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young DE
3. Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah CB
4. New York Giants - Jerry Jeudy WR
5. Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa QB
6. Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Herbert QB
7. Carolina Panthers - Derrick Brown DT
8. Arizona Cardinals - Andrew Thomas OT
9. Jacksonville Jaguars - Isaiah Simmons LB

Cleveland Browns

The Raiders are going to have to move up to grab CeeDee Lamb, and this is the spot to do so. Greg Robinson is not a quality left tackle, and if the Browns don’t want Baker Mayfield to turn into a bust they’re going to need to upgrade that protection. They can still move back to 12, get whichever left tackle they prefer between Austin Jackson, Tristan Wirfs or Mekhi Becton, and probably pick up at the very least an additional third round pick. It sounds like a win-win for everyone.

1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow QB
2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young DE
3. Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah CB
4. New York Giants - Jerry Jeudy WR
5. Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa QB
6. Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Herbert QB
7. Carolina Panthers - Derrick Brown DT
8. Arizona Cardinals - Andrew Thomas OT
9. Jacksonville Jaguars - Isaiah Simmons LB
10. Cleveland Browns - Austin Jackson OT

New York Jets

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Free Agent(s) To Watch: Robby Anderson WR

Why It Matters: I don’t understand the fascination with Anderson. Why would anyone pay $10+ million for this body of work? Mind you, I’m not mad at him for trying to build his personal wealth, but I wouldn’t re-sign him for his asking price or sign him in free agency for his asking price, and he is definitely not a WR1. Lamb will fall to the Jets and fill a pretty big need.

1. Cincinnati Bengals - Joe Burrow QB
2. Washington Redskins - Chase Young DE
3. Detroit Lions - Jeff Okudah CB
4. New York Giants - Jerry Jeudy WR
5. Miami Dolphins - Tua Tagovailoa QB
6. Los Angeles Chargers - Justin Herbert QB
7. Carolina Panthers - Derrick Brown DT
8. Arizona Cardinals - Andrew Thomas OT
9. Jacksonville Jaguars - Isaiah Simmons LB
10. Cleveland Browns - Austin Jackson OT
11. New York Jets - CeeDee Lamb WR

We’ll have to see what happens, but let me know where you think I went wrong.