The Raiders aren’t short on draft needs, but they are a little short on first-round draft picks – at least compared to previous years. With needs at free safety, right tackle, and a few other positions, the Raiders could go in a lot of different directions with their first pick in the draft.
Rumors have been swirling about what the Raiders might do, but a recent mock draft on NFL.com pointed to two positions that they are expected to target with the no. 17 overall pick.
“From what I’m told, the feeling around the league is the Raiders will focus on pass rush or offensive tackle with their first-round pick,” NFL Network’s Peter Schrager posted this week.
Interestingly, Schrager pointed to pass rushers and offensive tackles for the Raiders, but his mock draft actually had them picking Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons. The Raiders don’t necessarily have a huge need at linebacker, but they haven’t had a generational linebacker in, well, a lot longer than a generation. If the ultra-athletic Parsons fell to the Raiders, he could immediately do things that none of the veteran linebackers on the roster can do.
Parson does, however, come with a couple questions marks. One being his character.
Regardless of what the Raiders do with pick 17, it will be interesting to see where Parsons ends up being picked. Maybe teams have genuine concerns about Parsons… or maybe they are spreading misinformation in hopes that Parsons might slide a little in the draft.
The only high pick with rumored character concerns that the Raiders have drafted (recently, at least) is Ohio State cornerback Damon Arnette. Arnette didn’t silence any of his critics in year one and the Raiders were reportedly sniffing around expensive cornerbacks prior to the free agency period. There has to be a little buyers’ remorse looming in the building over the Arnette pick.
If Parsons ends up being available at pick 17, would the Raiders be inclined to roll the dice one more time?
twitter: @raidersbeat
What a boneheaded pick Arnette was. They draft guys way too high and just keep doing it over and over.
Ok, someone has to say it, so since no one else has, I will. Obviously, DeShaun Watson’s trade value has plummeted since all of the sexual assault allegations have hit the news. I’ve said previously that I have been a Raiders fan since 1968 so with all of that said; Does ANYONE doubt that if Al Davis was alive that he would not make a play for DeShaun Watson? Of course not BECAUSE, Al Davis would immediately recognize DeShaun Watson’s quarterbacking abilities irrespective of his pending legal troubles. Al Davis would also realize that this young man would be motivated to win and most certainly committed and grateful to whatever team believes in him during this “trying time.” Al Davis made a similar unprecedented move by signing Jim Plunkett after the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers gave up on him. Jim Plunkett responded with TWO Super Bowl wins for the Raiders. EVERYONE knows it is a documented fact that Jon Gruden loves quarterbacks. IF the Raiders should make a move for and sign DeShaun Watson, it would be a play right out of the Al Davis School of Football Playbook. What am I saying? That as a long time Raiders fan, since 1968, I recognize an Al Davis moment when I see one. EVERYONE who knows ANYTHING about Al Davis knows that he absolutely LOVED using moments like this to make the NFL and other football franchises eat crow. Just like how he drafted Rocket Ishmael when he signed with the Toronto Argonauts instead of the NFL. Just like how he drafted and signed Bo Jackson after Jackson declined to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the year before. So, it would only be fitting, in Al Davis and Raiders fashion, to sign DeShaun Watson, for considerably much less than he would have cost just a few short weeks ago and watch as the NFL and other NFL teams squirm, bite their nails and mumble under their breaths about how the spirit of Al Davis, and the once glorious Raiders mystique, has returned, just in the nick of time, to this once proud franchise by making one of the shrewdest football moves ever. May the spirit of Al Davis rise and live once again.
All on Gruden. He has too much power and all the say. I feel bad for Mayock… will take the fall if this draft goes bad. Just like all the coaches who got the hook with all the Al Davis blunders.