The Raiders started Day 2 by picking up where they left off, and continuing the secondary rebuild by selecting safety Obi Melifonwu out of Connecticut.
Wrote about the player who jumped outta the gym and where I'd draft him. New #FilmWithFive, via @RaidersBeat: https://t.co/FVwjfNtAep
— ryan (@StillRyanFive) March 25, 2017
Reggie and Jack then swung around in the third (88th overall), and grabbed some help on the interior, adding defensive linemen Eddie Vanderdoes by way of UCLA.
.@Vanderdoes47 is gonna give EVERYTHING to the @RAIDERS!
Check out all the work he's been putting in! #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/jNftP6Zhgd
— FOX Sports: PROcast (@PROcast) April 29, 2017
There’s plenty of talent left heading into Day 3 of the draft.
Oakland (still) has a notable hole at linebacker, and I’d personally love to see an offensive tackle added in order to bolster the right side. Positions of need aside, McKenzie has done a good job of letting the board come to him, both this year and in previous drafts. As a result, we should expect more “best player available” value selections. I wouldn’t rule out a wide receiver or tight end, depending on how things fall.
The following, aforementioned talent is in “rough” order. Pay more attention to the names vs. the numbers/rankings:
1) EDGE Carl Lawson — Incredible value. Medicals must be bad, given this slide?
2) LB Anthony Walker Jr. — At this point, feels like “the one” the Raiders need.
3) LB Blair Brown — Walker Jr. contingency plan; may even go before him?
4) TE Bucky Hodges — My TE4 who carried an early-Day 2 grade. He’s huge at 6’6″, and dynamic at times. Tested very well.
5) WR Ryan Switzer — The best slot player left in this class. Physical (and durable) despite the size. Excellent hands.
The next #FilmWithFive installment looks at a (slot) wide receiver the #Raiders' offense deserves, via @RaidersBeat: https://t.co/QW9MOpP7yp
— ryan (@StillRyanFive) January 27, 2017
6) OT Storm Norton — Taller tackle with the long arms to match. Better than what’s currently on the roster.
7) CB Damontae Kazee — Size isn’t ideal, but his ball skills are obvious. Raiders’ need more corners.
8) TE George Kittle — A more athletic Lee Smith? Upgrade me. This class’s best blocking tight end.
9) DL Jaleel Johnson — Probably not in play given the Eddie V. selection (above), but this would represent pure value.
10) WR Isaiah Ford — Best wide receiver off the line. Substantial athlete. Good height; threat downfield.
11) WR Josh Malone — Height-weight-speed kid you “gamble on” late-round.
12) EDGE Vince Biegel — Would be higher on this list, but the medicals are real. Athletic and disruptive presence when healthy.
13) WR Josh Reynolds — He’s Andre Holmes-ish.
14) WR Mack Hollins — Legit speedster with height at 6’4″.
15) RB Aaron Jones — Higher on him than the consensus. Can do it all. Great hands, and tested very well. Draft a back, even with Beast Mode in town.
Remember #Miner fans the #nfldraft begins tonight! #minerstrong 🏈💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/VGapr8hQ7G
— UTEP Football (@UTEPFB) April 27, 2017
16) RB Brian Hill — Tough, violent runner who’ll fill the “power back role” once Marshawn Lynch steps away. Above average vision.
17) CB Corn Elder — Played inside and outside at Miami. Slot corner-only in the NFL who rarely misses a tackle. Dinged for height.
18) WR Austin Carr — Another slot option. Productive. Good size at 6’1″, but not the quick-twitch athlete others are.
19) OT Jylan Ware — Athletic tackle who would compete on the right side. Another Jim Cobern special.
20) RB Samaje Perine — “Big back” who’s very nimble for his size. Decent burst, too.
21) RB Jamaal Williams — Another bigger back that likely doesn’t pass the athletic thresholds for McKenzie and the Raiders.
New #FilmWithFive, via @RaidersBeat: Everyone wants a "big back", so I wrote about one. He's strong, and a lot more. https://t.co/M0aXxCoqPF
— ryan (@StillRyanFive) February 26, 2017
22) LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin — May go undrafted, given the injury (recovery) status. I’m all-in on Day 3, however. Tennessee kid too.
23) TE Michael Roberts — Not quite as athletic as other’s in the class. Still, Roberts put up very good numbers and comes with great hands.
24) WR Shelton Gibson — Speedster who can take the top off the defense.
25) CB Jalen Myrick — He’s very fast. Like, very fast.
26) TE Eric Saubert — 6’5″ monster with tape that’s all over the place.
27) EDGE Ejuan Price — He’s smaller at 5’11”, but hard to ignore his production at school. Think Elvis Dumervil.
Did you know: @Pitt_FB has its very own wrecking machine?
His name is Ejuan Price 💯 pic.twitter.com/BEkncTKLFX
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) October 14, 2016
28) LB Dylan Cole — Incredibly productive career and even better testing. Small school concerns.
29) CB Brandon Wilson — Raiders’ reportedly had a visit lined up. Pro day was really impressive.
30) WR Dede Westbrook — Realistically, Westbrook’s not even on the board. I couldn’t leave him off though, he’s just too talented. Couple all that with the Conley selection and background work they did on Mixon. Time’s are changing? He hits home runs.
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