With the 2020 NFL Draft rapidly approaching, most teams have their draft strategies in place. The Raiders were very active throughout free agency, leaving them with very few holes entering the draft. This gives them the flexibility to go in any number of directions to fill out their roster.
Below provides a blueprint for what I feel is the perfect draft for the Silver and Black.
No. 12 – CJ Henderson, CB, Florida
One of the most athletic players in the draft, Henderson shows outstanding shadow-coverage ability. He’s tall, long, and football IQ gives him a tremendously high ceiling.
With second-year man Trayvon Mullen manning one boundary, Henderson gives another playmaker at the third level of the defense. Free agency was a productive time for Mike Mayock and company, but they really could use more talent on defense.
No. 19 – Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama
It is unlikely that Jeudy falls all the way down to pick No. 19, but if he somehow makes it to No. 16, the Raiders should give serious consideration to moving up. Trading the No. 19 pick, along with the No. 121 pick and a 2021 fourth-rounder should do the trick.
In Jeudy, the Silver and Black get the best route runner in the draft. Jeudy has plenty of speed but is amazingly quick in and out of his breaks. He showcases excellent hands to go with excellent separation skills.
With Tyrell Williams taking the top off the defense and Hunter Renfrow in the slot working underneath, Jeudy pairs really well with Darren Waller to dominate the middle of the field.
No. 80 – Troy Pride Jr, CB, Notre Dame
Double-dipping at cornerback? Yup. Pride is an elite cover man that simply hasn’t received enough recognition for his shadow ability. Pride has ample size at 5’11” and 193 pounds but understands leverage and how to implement press coverage.
Pride has excellent ball skills and shows enough short-area quickness and change-of-direction ability to kick into the slot, if necessary. You can never have enough talent at the cornerback position and adding Pride and Henderson in one draft would be one heck of a haul.
No. 81 – Troy Dye, LB, Oregon
The Raiders signed a pair of starting linebackers in free agency in Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkowski. Dye is a player that should be seriously considered as his skill-set is more of a coverage player. He’s an incredible athlete that can get downhill in a hurry against the run but will earn his second contract on the back of his coverage skills.
Dye certainly could develop into an Eric Kendricks-type of linebacker, who just happened to put together one of the best coverage seasons ever for a linebacker. He is a perfect fit for Jon Gruden.
No. 91 – Terrell Burgess, S, Utah
Burgess is another player with incredible coverage skills. He makes plays on the ball as well as any safety in the draft. Sure, he has had some issues with stepping up in run support, but it wasn’t as much an issue with willingness or form as much as it was simply missing the play. He should be able to clean that up as he receives NFL coaching.
With Johnathan Abram coming back and likely to play more of the box safety role, Burgess pairs perfectly. Adding three players like Henderson, Pride, and Burgess would provide an incredible boost to the Raiders’ pass defense.
No. 121 – Alton Robinson, EDGE, Syracuse
This pick would be used to move up for Jeudy, but if they stand pat, Robinson would make for tremendous value. He possesses the requisite size at 6’3” and 259 pounds, but it is his burst that makes him ever-so intriguing as a situational pass rusher, especially early on.
If he can develop some counters and improve on his hand placement, you could be looking at a steal in Round 4. Clelin Ferrell is locked in as a base defensive end, but Robinson could certainly be utilized in rush situations, with more than enough natural talent to become far more down the road.
No. 159 – Solomon Kindley, G, Georgia
A powerful man that seems to move anyone in his path. He’s best suited for a power scheme at this point, but there is enough mobility to fit just about anywhere. Kindley could start immediately for a lot of teams, but wouldn’t be asked to do so for the Silver and Black.
The Raiders have an excellent offensive line already, so Kindley can take a season to develop and/or provide insurance for Richie Incognito.
Again, the Raiders could go any number of directions, but these players address needs while also fitting the Best Player Available (BPA) strategy that so many franchises employ on draft night. You never want to reach for a need, but when need meets BPA, it’s a home run. This was my home run for Las Vegas.
