Mock draft season is upon us and with the NFL Draft just a few weeks away, it means we will be examing more 7-round mock draft. Up first is Luke Easterling of the Draft Wire, who published his first 7-round mock of the draft season.
Like most mocks, he has the Cardinals taking Kyler Murray at No.1, followed by Nick Bosa and then Josh Allen. That gets us to pick No. 4, where the Raiders currently select.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at all of Easterling’s picks for the Raiders:
4. Oakland Raiders – DT Quinnen Williams Alabama
Quinnen Williams has quickly become the consensus pick for the Raiders at No. 4 as Bosa and Allen are off the board. While the Raiders may not need a defensive tackle right away, it’s tough to ignore just how dominant Williams was last season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Williams finished the year as the best player in college football, recording 26 sacks/quarterback hits in 2018:
Pairing Williams with Maurice Hurst will give the Raiders one of the best interior defensive lines in all of football. Selecting Williams at No. 4 would be a slam-dunk pick, despite not having a big need at the position.
24. Oakland Raiders (from CHI) – EDGE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
While the Raiders grabbed a defensive lineman at pick No. 4, that still doesn’t address their need for edge rush help. But with the team’s second first-round pick, they grab one of the most productive defensive ends in the country in Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell.
Ferrell was one of the most consistent rushers over the last three seasons, racking up 50.5 tackles for a loss and 27 sacks. He finished the season with 56 total pressures and a pass-rush grade of 87.7, according to Pro Football Focus:
Ferrell might not have the pure upside of a player like Josh Allen, but you can bank on him being a solid prove given his college production at a powerhouse school like Clemson. Ferrell would be an excellent pick at the bottom of the first round for the Raiders.
27. Oakland Raiders – TE Noah Fant, Iowa
If the Raiders are going to replace Jared Cook in this draft, picking Noah Fant at the bottom of the first round isn’t a bad way to do so.
Fant is one of the most athletic tight ends we have seen enter the league in several years, running a 4.50 40-yard dash at 249 pounds. Fant tested in the 98.4 percentile of all tight ends in the NFL, according to 3sigmaathlete.com. Take a look at his grades over the last three seasons via Pro Football Focus:
If Fant were to fall this far, this would be a fantastic replacement for Jared Cook. He would be able to ease into his role on the offense as the team has plenty of options at receiver early on. Fant would be one of the best selections the Raiders could possibly make at pick No. 27.
35. Oakland Raiders – CB Rock Ya-Sin, Temple
Cornerback is still one of the bigger needs on the Raiders’ roster as they search for a counterpart to Gareon Conley. Luckily for Oakland, this draft is loaded with cornerback talent. That’s why a player like Temple’s Rock Ya-Sin makes a lot of sense for Oakland at pick No. 35.
Ya-Sin was a player that the Raiders saw at the Senior Bowl, and it’s not hard to fall in love with his game. He has elite size and projects as a man-to-man cornerback in the NFL. He’s going to need some refining, but Ya-Sin has the potential to develop into a high-end No. 2 cornerback. This would be a steal for Oakland in the second round.
106. Oakland Raiders – LB Drue Tranquill, Notre Dame
After Oakland picks early in the second round, they will not select again until the third day of the NFL Draft. However, that doesn’t mean that value can’t be found.
In Easterling’s mock, he has the Raiders taking linebacker Drue Tranquill in the fourth-round. Tranquill has dealt with numerous injuries over his career, and that’s why he has fallen to this point in the draft. But he has the tools to be a starting weakside linebacker in the NFL but could start right away in nickel situations.
At this stage of the draft, this would be a worthwhile gamble for Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden. Don’t be surprised if Tranquill turns out to be one of the best linebackers in this draft.
140. Oakland Raiders – RB Devin Singletary, FAU
With the signing of Isaiah Crowell and Jalen Richard returning in 2019, the running back position isn’t a big need for Oakland. However, if they find a player of value falling to them, don’t be surprised if they swoop in and make a selection.
In Easterling’s mock, he has the Raiders selecting the talented Devin Singletary from Florida Atlantic. While Singletary performed as a well-below-average athlete at the NFL Combine, he is a fun watch on tape. He is one of the better backs in the class at making defenders miss and has elite college production (4,287 rushing yards in three seasons.)
Singletary makes sense as a change-of-pace back who can play in any scheme. Look for him to come off the board sometime on Day 3.
218. Oakland Raiders – FS Mike Bell, Fresno State
The Raiders have done a lot to address their safety need this offseason, signing Lamarcus Joyner, Curtis Riley, and Jordan Richards. However, that doesn’t mean they are done adding to the position. With their sixth-round selection, Easterling gave Oakland safety Mike Bell from Fresno State.
Bell is a highly athletic safety with the ability to play both strong and free. However, his best fit right away might be on special teams. He needs a lot of development, but he has the tools to be a starter in the NFL, in time. At this stage of the draft, his upside is worth this selection.
235. Oakland Raiders – OL Brandon Fanaika, Stanford
With the addition of Trent Brown, the Raiders have some depth at offensive tackle. However, they could use more depth on the interior of their offensive line. One player who would make sense for Oakland late on Day 3 of the draft is Stanford’s Brandon Fanaika.
Fanaika has experience playing all over the offensive line and the size to play tackle if asked. He is a developmental player who has the tools to be a better NFL player than he was in college.
