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Oakland Raiders – Cornerback
The Raiders had kind of a weird draft. I thought they completely messed up by drafting a project tackle in UCLA’s Kolton Miller 15th overall and a small-school freak defensive lineman in Sam Houston State’s P.J. Hall. Some way though, they snagged two first-round talents in the third and fifth round respectively.
LSU’s Arden Key I thought was the most natural pass rusher in the nation, when I evaluated him a year ago, while Michigan’s Maurice Hurst was the most disruptive force on the D-line I saw in the last college football season. Key had off-field concerns and Hurst seems to have a serious heart condition, but if they are right and have their minds set on making an impact, those are two starters right there in my opinion.
The Raiders’ offense took a little bit of a dip last year, but with Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and a good offensive line coming back, plus the additions of Jordy Nelson and Doug Martin, I see them climbing back up the ranks under John Gruden. The defense is what concerns me. It simply didn’t feel like they could ever stop anybody, when it really counted a year.
Khalil Mack is a one-man wrecking crew and like I said, I think they upgraded their front in the middle rounds, but what they have behind it looks pretty shaky. Derrick Johnson should take over as a leader at MIKE and Marquel Lee will benefit from a move to WILL. I love young Karl Joseph and Reggie Nelson is still a playmaker at free safety, but the cornerback position is a question mark right now.
Shareece Wright was brought over from Buffalo to play nickel, but nobody really knows, who will start on the outside. Last year’s first-round pick Gareon Conley didn’t even see 100 snaps during last season, Daryl Worley’s status is still up in the air after being charged with six offenses and Leon Hall started just seven games in the last three years. There was some speculation that Obi Melinfonwu might move to the outside, coming out of UConn a year ago, but none of these guys have experience covering at the highest level.
