https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...2018-nfl-draft-needs-prospect-fits/525110002/
Oakland Raiders
1. Inside linebacker has been a longtime need for the Raiders, with NaVorro Bowman only serving as a temporary fix. It’s time that Oakland invested a top draft pick to bolster its front seven.
Advice: The Raiders lost a coin flip for the No. 9 pick to their Bay Area neighbor 49ers, who also could take a linebacker in the first round, which makes this is a really interesting scenario. If the Raiders are in love with Georgia’s Roquan Smith, they might need to jump up to make sure the 49ers don’t beat them to that pick. Virginia Tech's Tremaine Edmunds could also be in play at that point.
2. The Raiders clearly knew cornerback was a position of need this offseason and added Rashaan Melvin, Shareece Wright and Senquez Golson to join 2017 first-round pick Gareon Conley. Their search for another starter, however, shouldn't be over.
Advice: The Raiders should resist the urge to draft a corner in the first round for the second consecutive year and see if they can find value in the second or third rounds, like with LSU’s Donte Jackson (whose blazing speed would make him a classic throwback Raiders draft pick) or Colorado’s Isaiah Oliver.
3. The Raiders have short-term and long-term questions at offensive tackle following the release of right tackle Marshall Newhouse and given the advancing age of left tackle Donald Penn (turning 35 in April). Oakland signed veteran Breno Giacomini in free agency but could look to the draft for competition.
Advice: This draft class might not have an elite prospect at offensive tackle, and No. 10 might be too high to take one. Oakland likely will be inclined to see who is available later on, especially if Texas’ Connor Williams or Oklahoma’s Orlando Brown were to fall.
Oakland Raiders
1. Inside linebacker has been a longtime need for the Raiders, with NaVorro Bowman only serving as a temporary fix. It’s time that Oakland invested a top draft pick to bolster its front seven.
Advice: The Raiders lost a coin flip for the No. 9 pick to their Bay Area neighbor 49ers, who also could take a linebacker in the first round, which makes this is a really interesting scenario. If the Raiders are in love with Georgia’s Roquan Smith, they might need to jump up to make sure the 49ers don’t beat them to that pick. Virginia Tech's Tremaine Edmunds could also be in play at that point.
2. The Raiders clearly knew cornerback was a position of need this offseason and added Rashaan Melvin, Shareece Wright and Senquez Golson to join 2017 first-round pick Gareon Conley. Their search for another starter, however, shouldn't be over.
Advice: The Raiders should resist the urge to draft a corner in the first round for the second consecutive year and see if they can find value in the second or third rounds, like with LSU’s Donte Jackson (whose blazing speed would make him a classic throwback Raiders draft pick) or Colorado’s Isaiah Oliver.
3. The Raiders have short-term and long-term questions at offensive tackle following the release of right tackle Marshall Newhouse and given the advancing age of left tackle Donald Penn (turning 35 in April). Oakland signed veteran Breno Giacomini in free agency but could look to the draft for competition.
Advice: This draft class might not have an elite prospect at offensive tackle, and No. 10 might be too high to take one. Oakland likely will be inclined to see who is available later on, especially if Texas’ Connor Williams or Oklahoma’s Orlando Brown were to fall.
