Last year, the Raiders raided the National Champion Clemson Tigers for three of their top players in the draft. They took edge rusher Clelin Ferrell at 4th overall, cornerback Trayvon Mullen — who had an interception in the National Championship game — at 40th overall in the second round, and wide receiver Hunter Renfrow in the 5th round.
These picks have a lot of people saying Mike Mayock has an affinity for Clemson players. I would submit that, in fact, he has an affinity for National Championship players. In other words; he likes winners and the elite prospects who contributed to taking their team all the way. This year it was another Tigers team that did that; the LSU Tigers.
What’s especially interesting when you consider Mayock may just have the players who raised the National Championship trophy raised up on his draft board, is that some of that team’s top players align perfectly with the Raiders needs. Four of them, in particular, could be ideal fits with Las Vegas.
CB Kristian Fulton
Taking Fulton at 12 overall may be high for him, but if the top-flight receivers all happen to be gone, Fulton becomes a more attractive option. While Jeff Okudah is widely considered the top cornerback in this draft, the next best guy is not so certain. Most consider Florida’s CJ Henderson to be the guy, but some — including Pro Football Focus — think Fulton is that guy.
The 6-0, 197-pounder dominated SEC talent all the way to the National title. As a full-time starter the past two seasons for the Tigers, he’s given up 48 catches on 111 targets with five picks and 20 forced incompletions while holding opposing quarterbacks to around a 70 passer rating. And he did much of that in press-man coverage, so you know his numbers aren’t just a product of a scheme. Also he ran a 4.46 40 and his 1.48 10-yard split is 97th percentile.
LB Patrick Queen
Even with two linebackers signed this free agency, the Raiders are still in need of one. With the top linebacker in this draft, Isaiah Simmons, expected to be gone long before the Raiders are on the clock, they would have to start considering the position with their pick at No. 19. That’s right around where Queen’s range is expected to be.
As often happens in big-time programs, really talented players have to bide their time for a while before getting their shot. Queen was one such player and in this case, he was biding his time behind 2019 fifth overall pick Devin White. For that reason, Queen was not even a starter until three games into last season. But once he got his chance, it was a ‘where’ve they been keeping this guy?’ type situation.
He showed up well in coverage, which as we know is becoming more and more important at the NFL level, and he seems to be just scratching the surface of his potential at 21 years of age. Oh, and he ran a damn 4.5 flat 40 with a 1.51 10-yard split… at 230 pounds. There’s plenty of tools to work with already. Just add in a weight room and he will be ready to go.
S Grant Delpit
The Jack Tatum and Thorpe Award winner, Delpit is what they often call a ball hawk. The 6-3, 203-pounder is an ideal NFL free safety in many respects. Which is good because the Raiders have been looking for one. And they could be looking at the position high in the draft too.
There’s considerable tape on Delpit as he’s been a full time starting safety the past three seasons, putting up seven interceptions. What Delpit does that is not ideal is he misses a lot of tackles. He’s missed a cringe-worthy 36 tackles the past two seasons.
What will undoubtedly be attractive to Gruden and Mayock is that Delpit was a team leader as evidenced by his earning the number 7 jersey (if you don’t know that that means, read up on it).
WR Justin Jefferson
First off, the expectation is that the Raiders will take a receiver with their first pick at No. 12. If that happens, then Jefferson is not happening unless he somehow tumbles in the draft and they can get him later. But should they have a better prospect at another position on the board at No. 12 and take him instead, opting to wait on the receiver position, Jefferson becomes a possibility. Perhaps that happens at No. 19, but the odds go up if they make a trade down in the first and/or to get back in the second round. Jefferson could make a lot of sense in that range.
A lot of those who would take a cursory look at this draft class like to say Jefferson is a slot receiver product. And being that the Raider have one of those in the aforementioned Hunter Renfrow, Jefferson is the wrong guy. But that isn’t entirely accurate.
Prior to last season, Jefferson spent a lot more time on the outside. He spent 553 of his 697 snaps playing on the outside, and just 133 of his snaps in the slot. Also, consider that just because a player lines up inside doesn’t mean that’s the only place he can play. Jefferson’s abilities to play more than the slot position were detailed nicely by Touchdown Wire’s Mark Schofield.
If there was any doubt about Jefferson’s athletic abilities, he put those to bed with an outstanding scouting combine which included running a 4.43 40. He was also Joe Burrow’s top target last year for the Tigers with 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns. You take a chance that kind of production, reliability, and athleticism can translate to the NFL no matter where he lines up.
