It’s time to take a look at some of the veteran players on the Raiders’ rosters who benefited from the NFL draft. Some player on the roster improved their situation with over the weekend as the team didn’t select a player at their position.
Today, we are taking a look at the three biggest winners on the Raiders from the NFL draft. Shall we begin?
QB Derek Carr
The biggest draft winner for the Oakland Raiders was easily quarterback Derek Carr. The team passed on Dwayne Haskins and Daniel Lock at No. 4, Drew Lock four different times and did not make a move for Josh Rosen.
What this tells you is that the Raiders have the utmost faith in their starting quarterback. They liked Carr better than any other quarterback in this class (outside of maybe Kyler Murray) and want to see him in 2019 with Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams, etc.
Carr now can play worry-free in 2019 as he knows there isn’t a quarterback on the roster the team will bench in favor of him. Instead, he’s playing for his job in 2020. However, this past weekend was an important win for Carr.
DT P.J. Hall
For many months, it was assumed the Raiders would select Alabama defensive tackle Quinnen Williams at No. 4. However, Oakland never got that chance as Williams went No. 3 to the New York Jets. Luckily for P.J. Hall, that means his starting spot on the roster is likely safe.
If the Raiders would have had the chance to select Williams, there is no guarantee that Hall would have made the roster. Oakland’s second-round pick in 2018 had an up-and-down year, but he’s primarily a run-stopping defensive tackle who needs a ton of seasoning. If Williams had been picked, it wouldn’t have been a surprise to see the team move on from Hall or bury him on the depth chart.
Now, Hall should be given as many opportunities as possible to win the starting defensive tackle spot next to Maurice Hurst. Given his athleticism and tools, don’t be surprised if Hall makes a major leap in 2019.
LB Vontaze Burfict
With Nick Bosa and Quinnen Williams off the board, there was some buzz that the Raiders could select LSU linebacker Devin White with the No. 4 pick to be their starting middle linebacker. However, Oakland decided to go in a different direction and White was selected one pick later to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Not only did Oakland pass on a linebacker with their first pick, but they also did not draft a single one during the NFL draft. That means that Brandon Marshall and Vontaze Burfict are likely locked into starting jobs. That is quite a surprising turn of events considering how significant the Raiders’ linebacker need was entering the draft.
However, Burfict will now likely be one of the team’s starting linebackers on the opening game of the season against Denver. That in itself is quite a “win” for Burfict, who has had his ups and downs over the last few seasons.
