Raiders draft results: What does John Simpson pick mean for Gabe Jackson?

It didn’t take the Raiders long to get their Day 3 draft party started as they moved up 12 spots to take Clemson (yes, of course!) guard John Simpson with the No. 109 pick, the third pick of the fourth round.

The Raiders sent the Lions picks No. 121 and No. 172 (acquired from the Patriots on Friday night) to move up to take Simpson. The Raiders currently only have one pick remaining, which is No. 139.

But stay tuned ...

The addition of Simpson is another indication that the Raiders may soon be parting with guard Gabe Jackson. The starter has already been on the trade block, if he is not dealt today, he will likely soon be released. Jackson will free up $9.6 million in cap room if removed from the roster

The Raiders also signed veteran guard Eric Kush and re-signed guards Denzelle Good and Jordan Devey.

They clearly think Simpson is the future. He is a big, road-grader type. ESPN’s Mel Kiper was lukewarm on the pick, saying he is not a great player and perhaps he could vie to start at some point. But another draft analyst greatly approves of the choice.

I’d think, if Jackson is gone, Good will likely start as Simpson is brought along.

Simpson is the second Clemson player taken in this draft, joining third-round linebacker Tanner Muse, and the fifth in the past two drafts.

The fact that the Raiders moved up with a small cache of picks means they believe in Simpson. They clearly love this guy.