The future Las Vegas Raiders walk into Day 2 of the draft holding only one selection: 35 overall. After an underwhelming first-round (relatively safe, high-floor, low ceiling selections; emphasis on character-type traits, which I can understand to an extent), the Jon Gruden-Mike Mayock tandem need to swing for the fences. Below are my top-10 targets still left on the board. For reference, my full top-100 big board can be found here. The number in the parenthesis are each player’s respective “grades”.
SAF Juan Thornhill (19 overall) — Cornerback-savvy, coupled with elite athleticism that allows him to patrol the deep-half of the field, where he’s made plenty of plays on the ball.
WR A.J. Brown (22 overall) — Ideal slot compliment to an already upgraded Raiders’ wide receiver room.
WR Parris Campbell (25 overall) — Ditto, more or less. Noteworthy athlete that thrives in space and is able to create in the open field.
CB Byron Murphy (26 overall) — Confident corner who’s average athleticism kept him out of the first-round; ball skills are an obvious plus.
SAF Nasir Adderley (27 overall) — Arguably best-in-class range. Another upgrade option at free safety; spent a lot of time with the Raiders’ staff at the Senior Bowl.
CB Greedy Williams (29 overall) — Has the right, lockdown/cover corner demeanor and mirror abilities. Questions and concerns about his frame dropped him to Day 2, I’m thinking.
WR Deebo Samuel (33 overall) — Very clean prospect on the field. Stock has been steady-rising ever since his stop in Mobile. Can play inside or outside (preference is in the slot, of course).
OL Dalton Risner (40 overall) — Saw time at center and right tackle. He’s been on Oakland’s radar, from what we’re told. Do they see him at guard full-time?
TE Irv Smith Jr. (45 overall) — Questionable Combine keeps his ceiling lower, but the tape shows an ascending player who is young and carries NFL bloodlines at a position of need.
EDGE Jachai Polite (46 overall) — Arguably a top-10 or 15 player before he bombed the Combine and his pro day. Legitimate “character concerns” in that regard, but his production and film is too good to ignore, even as “early” as 35.
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No Mention of Cody Ford who might be the best Guard left. Only one of these guys will be available with the picks they have in the 2nd round. All will be gone when they pick again in fourth. No Mention of Jaylon Ferguson who might be better than Polite. They should have taken a CB instead of Safety as Safety wasnt a need.If they would have grabbed a CB instead of safety and come back today and take another edge would have been better. They can always address TE later rounds maybe Jace Sturnberger (sp) still there in 4th. OL in 5th. Hell, Im still scratching my head at Ferrel #4