The first round of the draft hasn’t been kind to the Raiders in recent years, but with the 13th pick in this year’s talented draft pool, there’s no reason the trend can’t be broken soon.
Antonio Pierce and the gang have a few positions of need after the first wave of free agency – with quarterback, offensive tackle and cornerback generally considered to be at the top of the list.
Pierce and GM Tom Telesco will have an opportunity to address one of those positions in round one if the draft, but is there a player or position that makes the most sense?
Asked to identify a team-prospect fit he loves in round one of the draft, ESPN insider Jordan Reid went with a player that has been an increasingly popular pick for the Raiders in mock drafts…
“Alabama cornerback Terrion Arnold to the Raiders at No. 13. The interior defensive line was a major question mark for Las Vegas entering the offseason, but with free agent signing Christian Wilkins now anchoring the middle of that unit, finding cover corners for the defense should be a focus at the draft. The cornerback group lacks size and high-end talent, but Arnold checks both of those boxes and gives coach Antonio Pierce a true CB1. Arnold had five interceptions last season, and he has a versatile skill set that would allow him to play anywhere in the Raiders’ secondary.”
As a vocal leader with tremendous skill and confidence, Arnold is the kind of player Pierce would appreciate and it’s fair to wonder if that’s what they might have been talking about last week at the Alabama pro day…
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