Raiders’ top needs are ranked here. These are obviously subject to change with the Combine still to take place (athletic testing matters, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise).
Jeff Okudah, Ohio State (Junior): He’s not a Marshon Lattimore-level prospect, but he’s definitely an impact player. To me, and to go one step further, Okudah’s one of the five best players in the 2020 class — overall (as in, he likely will not be there at 12 overall). Ran 4.49 with a 41.6-inch vertical out of high school; obvious athlete.
Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi State (Redshirt Junior): Not necessarily as big or as strong as you’d like (listed at “only” 185, standing at 6-2), but simply put, he just doesn’t get beat often or give up very many big plays. That’s a good thing.
C.J. Henderson, Florida (Junior): At 6-1, 202, the Florida Gator has the size/build we prefer. You watch him and he’s clearly physical; the way he plays the ball in the air as well as the player lined up in front of him. Henderson blazed a 4.35 as a recruit, and watching him on Saturday’s, the wheels carried over. I think he checks pretty much all the boxes you want in a top-tier corner, although he could work on his ability downhill, and as a tackler. An easy, early-Day 2 pick, I imagine.
Jeff Gladney, Texas Christian (Senior): Listed at 6-0, 183 (a touch on the smaller side, again), Gladney can be inserted in either zone or man where he should excel. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein sums up his game appropriately (and where he compares him to one-time Draft Twitter darling Sidney Jones): “He’s slender so teams will need to decide whether to play him outside or in sub-packages, but no matter where he plays, this ball-hawking alpha has the talent to help his team on all three downs if needed.”
Noah Igbinoghene, Auburn (Junior): The overused clichés come in waves this time of year, and I try my best to avoid them whenever possible. But in this case, the sky truly looks to be the limit (that’s one). Igbinoghene has the #bloodlines (that’s two). Just check the bio. Track stars in his family, and that’s where his story started; then the move to wide receiver, and finally to corner. He’s raw, but at this position, and given his growth in such a limited time, this is the type of prospect you comfortably roll the dice on (that’s three) year-over-year. The athleticism lends itself nicely on special teams, too:
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