Of all the rumors swirling around the Raiders over the past few weeks, the most believable is that Jon Gruden and Reggie McKenzie would love to trade down in the draft.
Teams around the league reportedly believe the Raiders want to trade the 10th pick and an NFL Network report on Wednesday seemed to confirm the idea.
The problem with a trade is that if there happens to be a good one available, the 49ers will surely scoop in up with the 9th pick. Anything trade offer the Raiders might get with the 10th pick, the 49ers will have already turned down with the 9th pick.
That isn’t ideal. It also isn’t ideal that the 49ers have many of the same needs as the Raiders.
The Raiders could run into a situation on Thursday night where the big-ticket defensive players are off the board by the 10th pick.
That could be some of the reason why the Raiders have been so heavily linked to Notre Dame offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey in recent days – he might be the player everyone McKenzie and Gruden are satisfied with if the first nine picks don’t leave many leftovers and a desirable trade isn’t on the table.
Update: I might move McGlinchey ahead of Minkah on list of what #Raiders will do https://t.co/RlbnpmqXHu
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) April 26, 2018
McGlinchey would fill a huge need on the roster and could start one season at right tackle before moving over to left tackle as Donald Penn’s replacement.
One draft analyst that is high on McGlinchey is NFL Network’s Mike Mayock, who ranks McGlinchey as the no. 8 overall prospect in the draft:
“I think the guy that checks all the boxes is Mike McGlinchey. I’ve known this kid since he was 15 years old. He’s got the same IQ and passion for football that Matt Ryan does. He starts Day one.”
On another note, don’t be so sure Michigan defensive tackle Maurice Hurst is going to free fall in the draft because of a heart condition.
Reports have indicated that Hurst has been removed from several draft boards and it feels like a smoky mess, to be honest.
The need is there and he would fit so well into defensive coordinator Paul Guenther’s scheme that the Raiders might just be willing to assume any risk that comes with drafting him in the second round.
twitter: @raidersbeat
Tired of all mock drafts ! Glad it will be over soon
Hurst is better than all the players tied to the Raiders at ten! Take him there or trade back and take him a few spots later. If he is there at 41 you run to turn in the card.