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Raiders’ dream draft scenarios at No. 12, 19

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Raiders are in great shape for the first round

College Football Playoff National Championship - Clemson v LSU
Isaiah Simmons
Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

This ought to put a smile on your face.

It’s time for our dream and nightmare scenarios for the Raiders in the first round of the NFL draft, which runs April 23-25. But you won’t read any nightmare scenarios because there aren’t any.

I just don’t see any situation where the Raiders are left in a bad spot at either the No 12 or No. 19 pick. Yes, the talent level drops significantly from the two picks, but, I still believe the Raiders will come out of the No. 19 pick with solid value.

Let’s look at the dream scenarios for the Raiders in four layers for both picks.

No. 12

Best-case dream scenario: Either Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah or Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons falls to No. 12. It is highly unlikely, though.

Second dream scenario: Okudah or Simmons falls to No. 8-9 and the Raiders can move up with just one third- round pick to grab one of them. This is plausible.

Third dream scenario: They get their pick of receivers CeeDee Lamb of Oklahoma and Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III. The Raiders have to worry about Arizona at No. 8 and the Jets at No.11 blocking this dream.

Fourth dream scenario: Either Lamb, Jeudy or Ruggs is still there at No. 12. It will be a complete shock if they are all gone by then. Thus, the Raiders are in great shape.

No. 19

Best-case dream scenario: Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson is available. Like the best-case dream scenario at No 12, this is highly unlikely. Henderson probably won’t get past Atlanta at No. 16.

Second dream scenario: The Raiders can move ahead of the Falcons at a reasonable price to take Henderson.

Third dream scenario: One of the top three receivers is still sitting there. Yes, if the Raiders get a chance to draft two of these three studs, they should do it.

Fourth dream scenario: A solid chance to trade down and get more picks. Or stay at No. 19 and take any of these following players: Cornerbacks Kristian Fulton (LSU), Jaylon Johnson (Utah) and Jeff Gladney (TCU), Oklahoma linebacker Kenneth Murray and LSU safety Grant Delpit. Something great will be available to Las Vegas here.

Conclusion: The Raiders are in fine shape at both spots.