The Las Vegas Raiders were extremely active through the first wave of free agency. They have addressed several glaring needs by adding players such as linebackers Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkowski, but still have other holes to fill, mainly at cornerback and wide receiver.
With limited funds remaining under the 2020 NFL Salary Cap, the NFL Draft will be the best way for the Raiders to attack their remaining holes. Fortunately, the positions of need happen to correspond with some of the deepest pools of talent the draft has seen in a long time.
Another positive happens to be the fact that the Silver and Black have two picks inside the top-20 overall selections. Picks No. 12 and No. 19 are extremely valuable assets that can be used to further improve a team looking to jump back into playoff contention.
In a wide-open AFC (after the Chiefs and Ravens), the Raiders have to like their chances of being a playoff team this upcoming season. Therefore, below is a list of players that need to be considered as need-fillers, as well as value-based selections, for Jon Gruden and company entering next month’s draft.
CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
The Raiders have second-year cornerback Trayvon Mullen ready to take a step forward, but they need a long-term complement, and Henderson is that and much, much more. The uber-athletic Henderson is everything you want in a shadow corner. He’s tall, he’s long, he’s fast, he’s quick, and loves to play tight man coverage.
The Raiders were in on free agent Byron Jones, but Henderson can do a lot of the same things that Jones can. The Jaguars are picking at No. 9 and could very well make a play for Henderson, but if Henderson is around, the Raiders need to give serious consideration to drafting him.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma
The Raiders have some decent receiving options with Tyrell Williams, Hunter Renfrow, Nelson Agholor, and, of course, Darren Waller, but they need a true #1 wideout. Enter Lamb, the most complete receiver in the draft.
While not a true burner, Lamb sets up his routes and has more than enough speed to run every available route. He’s absolutely electric with the ball in his hands and excels at high pointing the ball. Lamb is a perfect fit for Jon Gruden’s offense and would be a terrific selection, if available.
Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama
The fastest player in the draft, Ruggs has a DeSean Jackson feel to him. He definitely has that extra gear that few players can claim, but he runs clean routes, catches the ball naturally, and is more physical at the catch point than he may get credit for. His speed is mighty attractive, which means he may end up being the first receiver off the board.
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
Jeudy is the best pure route-runner in the draft. He has well-above-average wheels but is phenomenal at getting in and out of his breaks. He’s another player that showcases excellent ability once he gets his hands on the ball. He doesn’t have the same catch radius of Lamb, but he’s a playmaker nonetheless.
Given the overall depth of the receiver position in this draft, Jeudy is not the player I would target at No. 12, but the allure is valid. If, however, the Silver and Black decide to bypass receiver at No. 12 and Jeudy falls to the 16-17 range, trading up from No. 19 could be an attractive option.
Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Fulton possesses everything you look for in a potential shutdown corner. He’s tall, he’s fast, he has quick feet and smooth hips. He’s not as good at the catch point as you’d like, but he reads quarterbacks well and is able to jump routes and make plays. He seems to have fallen down some draft boards, but he should be on the shortlist of options for the No. 19 pick in the draft.
Patrick Queen, LB, LSU
The ultra-athletic Queen doesn’t have a ton of starting experience, but what a single season it was in the Bayou. He’s a true sideline-to-sideline defender that shoots gaps well but can cover extremely well, which has become increasingly critical in today’s NFL. At pick No. 19, he is well worth the consideration. The coverage skills may give him the edge over this next guy.
Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Murray is a fast, and physical, linebacker. He’s a true MIKE (middle linebacker) that brings a punch to his hits. He loves contact and it shows. The biggest concern with Murray is the lack of coverage reps on tape. He wasn’t asked to drop too often, but that doesn’t mean he’s incapable of filling that role. Murray just happens to be really good on the blitz, so he was asked to do that far more at the collegiate level than he will in the pros.
Again, pick No. 19 for the Raiders is where he should be considered. As with Patrick Queen, the Raiders have added two starters at the linebacker position, making it somewhat less likely that Queen or Murray would be the pick.
Zack Baun, LB/EDGE, Wisconsin
An all-around football player, Baun may be a surprise consideration for Oakland. He does everything really, really well and can fit just about any defense he’d be drafted onto. He has an assortment of pass-rush moves, drops into coverage really well, is stout against the run, and reads the game, perhaps, better than any other defender in this draft.
Baun could fill a couple of different roles for Las Vegas, giving them options in both base and nickel defensive alignments. At pick No. 19, he would prove to be great value.
Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Love is a very polarizing quarterback prospect. He has the size, mobility, arm strength, and fearless mentality you want in your signal-caller. But the fearless mentality has led to far too many turnovers throughout his collegiate career.
If Jon Gruden thinks he can correct those bad decisions, Love could turn into an absolute grand slam pick at No. 19. Every team is always on the lookout for their “guy,” and Love needs to be considered carefully.
TRADE
The Raiders were active through the beginning stages of free agency. Thus, there really aren’t too many glaring needs that must be addressed. Cornerback and wide receiver are the areas where most pundits have the Silver and Black addressing on day 1 of the draft. But, if they particular players they like don’t fall to those particular draft positions, a trade down may be in order.
There are teams that will be interested in moving up for a falling offensive tackle, or maybe a quarterback, that could be available at pick No. 19. The Raiders do not own a second-round pick, so if a team like New Orleans is eyeing a particular Utah State quarterback, they may be looking for a partner to jump in front of the Patriots. Perhaps that would be worth a second-rounder pick for New Orleans to land their potential quarterback of the future.
If the Raiders can still land a player like Queen, Murray, Baun or any of the falling receivers or defensive backs, and pick up another premium pick in a very, very deep class.
As stated, the aggressive nature of the Raiders’ front office at the onset of free agency has afforded them many options on draft night. My personal favorite path would be to select CJ Henderson at No. 12, and attempt to move down from No. 19 into the mid-20s and accumulate another pick in a loaded (and deep) class. In the mid-20s, they still would have the option of landing a potential star receiver like Denzel Mims, Jalen Reagor, or Justin Jefferson.
Also, surely, one of the aforementioned linebackers will fall. There are many avenues to success in this draft class, but the Silver and Black are set up, almost as well as anyone, for an incredibly productive rookie class. Draft night can’t get here soon enough!
