Entering the 2020 NFL Draft, the Raiders don’t have a ton of needs on their roster after a busy free agency period. The team was able to grab multiple starer-caliber players on defense, specifically including Maliek Collins, Carl Nassib, Cory Littleton and Eli Apple. However, they do still have two big needs at wide receiver and cornerback.
In a recent mock draft by Pro Football Focus, they took an analytical approach to predicting the first round. Instead of taking a wide receiver at No. 12, the Raiders selected LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton. Take a look at why PFF believes Fulton makes more sense than a receiver at No. 12:
Okudah is getting all the hype, but Fulton is not far behind him. He earned a top-20 PFF grade in each of the last two seasons. Coverage is the most valuable facet on the defensive side of the ball (yes, more so than pass rushing), and the top wide receivers are all off the board. Fulton’s versatility makes this a massive win for a team that hasn’t been able to cover a $5 check for quite some time.
Fulton is Pro Football Focus’ No. 2 ranked cornerback in this class, ahead of CJ Henderson of Florida. However, given Henderson’s elite athleticism and fantastic tape in 2018, it seems unlikely that Fulton will be able to jump him in the NFL Draft.
And while the Raiders need to add a cornerback in this year’s draft, selecting one at No. 12 over the top-three receivers seems like a bit of a stretch. But if Fulton is available to the Raiders later in the first round at pick No. 19, expect Las Vegas to be interesting in grabbing the former SEC star.
