The Oakland Raiders are in a fascinating position heading into the 2019 NFL Draft. They have four picks inside of the top-35 selections, but none between picks 36-106. With their first four selections, you can count on the team selecting players from big-time schools as those are typically the “safest” prospects in the draft.
However, on Day 3 of the NFL Draft, the Raiders own four selections. It wouldn’t be a shock to Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden gamble on some high-upside players from smaller schools.
Today, we are looking at five small school names the Raiders could consider during the NFL Draft. For this list, any school not in one of the “power five” conferences is eligible. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the names.
1. EDGE Sutton Smith, Northern Illinois
If the Raiders want to find a pass-rusher in this draft after their first four picks, there might not be a better player to gamble on than Sutton Smith of Northern Illinois.
Smith is one of the most dominant pass-rushers in college football history, recording 58.5 tackles for a loss and 30 sacks in 37 career games. He has the rare ability to bend around the edge and the speed to get to the quarterback. He finished as Pro Football Focus’ 24th-ranked player in college football in 2018:
However, his lack of size is what is going to make him available sometime on Day 3. At the NFL Combine, he measured in at just 6’0, 233 pounds. He’ll likely never be a full-time edge rusher, but he has proven that he can get to the quarterback.
Don’t be surprised to see Smith find a role in the NFL as a designated pass-rusher.
2. EDGE Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan
Another edge rusher that should garner the Raiders attention is Maxx Crosby of Eastern Michigan. Like Sutton Smith, Crosby was highly productive in college, totaling 35.5 tackles for a loss and 18.5 sacks in his last 24 games.
But unlike Smith, he has the requisite athleticism to play on the edge in the NFL, running a 4.66 40-yard dash at 255 pounds at the NFL Combine.
At the NFL Combine, Crosby dominated all of the drills, testing as the fifth-best edge rusher in the class. He has shown that he has elite athleticism and has the frame to hold up on the edge.
Crosby might be a third or fourth round pick, but there aren’t many small school prospects with a higher ceiling than him. Consider him a possible selection at pick No.107, if he makes it there.
3. WR Jazz Ferguson, Northwestern State
Nearly every year, there are one or two small school receivers who translate their college game into the NFL. Don’t be surprised if Jazz Ferguson from Northwestern State isn’t the latest player to make the leap from small school star to the NFL.
Ferguson started his career at LSU, but he failed numerous drug tests and was forced to transfer. He sat out the 2017 season before dominating at Northwestern State, tallying 1,117 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.
What makes Ferguson an intriguing prospect is that he has elite size at nearly 6’5, 227 pounds to go along with 34 1/4 inch arms. But unlike most oversized receivers, he has elite speed (4.45) to go with his frame.
The Raiders may not need another receiver right now, but Ferguson is a fascinating prospect that could prove to significantly out-play his draft value. Expect him to go somewhere on Day 3, between the fourth and sixth rounds of the draft.
4. TE Dax Raymond, Utah State
With the loss of Jared Cook to free agency, the Raiders would be wise to look for a receiving tight end at some point in the draft. Luckily for them, this draft is loaded with talent at nearly every turn of the draft.
A name the team could consider is Dax Raymond of Utah State. While he is raw (just 72 career catches), he showed impressive upside at the Senior Bowl. In his final season in college, he accumulated 170 yards after the catch and had a passer rating of 102.6 when targeted, according to Pro Football Focus.
He is an ascending talent and he will likely be a much better NFL player than he was in college. Expect him to come off the board sometime in the fourth round. Don’t be surprised if the Raiders are interested at that price.
5. CB Corey Ballentine, Washburn
The Raiders need to continue to add depth at the cornerback spot. But due to the arrival of Lamarcus Joyner in the slot and the re-signing of Darryl Worley, the team could opt to wait until Day 3 to address the need.
One option could be Corey Ballentine from Washburn. Ballentine impressed at the NFL Combine, testing in the 95.5 percentile, according to 3sigmaathlete.com.
Ballentine has some fans in the draft community as The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked him as the eighth-best small school prospect in the draft.
Considering his freakish athleticism and willingness to press receivers at the line of scrimmage, he’s not a bad player to gamble on during the third day of the draft.
