With the 2019 NFL Draft approaching, most hardcore fans are wondering what their favorite teams will do. Mock drafts are appearing all over the internet and its always fun to speculate. Here is my attempt at a Raiders version of a seven-round mock draft.
Pick #4: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky:
Allen has a prototypical frame for an edge rusher. He has an outstanding bend and agility that should help make him an immediate impact.
However, he is undersized to play as a true defensive end and will struggle to hold the point of attack in the run game. Regardless, his ceiling is that of a Von Miller, and his talent is too tantalizing to pass up here. Allen is arguably the best edge rusher in the 2019 NFL Draft.
Pick #24: TJ Hockenson, TE, Iowa:
The Raiders lost tight end Jared Cook in free agency to the Saints. So, they take Hockenson here who is one of the best all-around tight end prospects to enter the draft in years.
Hockenson is plenty capable of making an impact as a receiver, with outstanding size, awareness, hands, toughness, and route running knowledge.
He is also an absolute road grader in the run game. I view Hockenson as a perennial pro bowl player at a position of need. Easy pick here for the Raiders after the loss of Cook.
Pick #27: Hakeem Butler, WR, Iowa State:
Butler is a huge receiver, standing 6’6″ and weighing 225 pounds. He is outstanding in contested catch situations and is almost impossible to bring down once he catches the ball. At the NFL Combine, Butler ran an impressive 4.48, giving him the speed to stretch defenses vertically.
The Silver and Black needed to upgrade their talent around quarterback Derek Carr this offseason and adding Hockenson and Butler to already acquired Antonio Brown, Tyrell Williams, and Isaiah Crowell makes for a fantastic supporting cast.
Pick #35: Justin Layne, CB, Michigan State:
Layne seems to be moving up draft boards with his combination of size, speed, and physicality. His best trait is his press ability, which is how the Raiders will deploy him opposite budding star cornerback Gareon Conley.
This duo is young (Conley is entering Year 2), physical, and should form a formidable pair in the secondary for a long time. Layne is quickly shooting up draft boards and could be an option for the Raiders at pick No.27.
Pick #106: Nate Davis, OG, Charlotte:
Davis is one of my favorite interior offensive line prospects in this entire draft. His shows the power necessary to dominate in the run game, but the awareness and versatility to hold up in pass protection. He should take over as a day 1 starter for the departed Kelechi Osemele at left guard.
Pick #140: Gerald Willis, DT, Miami:
Willis has an outstanding initial burst at the snap, which is easily his best attribute. His role early on will be as a 3-technique (penetrating defensive tackle) and creating inside pressure on passing downs.
Willis will quickly have a role early on in his career with the opportunity to develop into an every-down player. Don’t be surprised if Willis turns into this year’s Maurice Hurst.
Pick 218: Terrill Hanks, LB, New Mexico State:
Hanks is a tough player to peg on tape. Some of his film shows a player who should be in the conversation with Devin White and Devin Bush as the best linebackers in this class. Some of his film shows him as being overmatched. I think the latter is more of overthinking and not relying on his instincts.
Hanks’ athleticism often allows for him to recover for his mental mistakes. He shows power and the willingness to take on blockers head-on.
Hanks has all kinds of potential and could certainly be one of the biggest steals of this entire class.
Pick 235: Bryce Love, RB, Stanford
In 2017, Love was possibly the best running back in the nation. In 2018, he started out incredibly slow, then suffered injuries completely derailing his season. He is best suited to be part of a committee at the position, which is how newly acquired running back Isaiah Crowell has been deployed throughout his career.
It is possible that Love would end up heading the committee by the end of the season, but I’d view him as six to eight carries per game player early in his career.
Obviously, a lot can and will happen between now and the end of the draft, including trades of draft picks and other additions and subtractions to the current roster.
However, each of these players would provide an outstanding value compared to their draft slots. Additionally, each of these players fills a need that the Raiders currently possess.
I believe that this would be an A+ draft for the Silver and Black, and one that Head Coach Jon Gruden and General Manager Mike Mayock would be thrilled to implement.
