Oakland has nailed their last two drafts under General Manager Reggie McKenzie. Oren Shiri posts his 2016 NFL Mock Draft for the Oakland Raiders.
14. Reggie Ragland, MLB, Alabama
Raiders must address their need at MLB in the draft not saying Heeney is bad but he's probably not capable of starting all 16 games. The Raiders need a day one starter who knows how to take it to the next level without hesitation and been to the top. Raiders take the best available linebacker and he will add to already better defensive unit from a year ago.
Ragland after his Pro-Day has already began his team visits. He leads Alabama with 90 total tackles he is a thing of beauty to watch. He Demonstrates the blend of size, aggression, instincts and reliable open-field tackling skills to project well inside to 4-3 and 3-4 principles, alike and is ready to start in the NFL day one. Ragland has excellent closing burst to arrive with pop at the point of attack. And is very physical hitter with great vision.
44. Karl Joseph, FS, West Virginia
Safety is another major position of need more most may think. This past season the Raiders lost their All-Time great safety Charles Woodson to retirement. And so for in free agency they missed out on the top safeties like Eric Weddle and Taushon Gipson to other teams. So where does this leave the Raiders. It's time to pursue youth and vitality and get the best available and if need be move up and get him. Joseph or HITMAN is exactly built to be a Raider. His physical attributes and leadership are special and some consider him the top defense back of the draft class so don't be surprised if he gets his name called in the first.
Joseph is a very he is a powerful tackler and can deliver some impressive hits. His biggest strength is defending the run. Exactly what the Raiders needed last season. Joseph is instinctive and usually takes good angles to track down the ball carrier. When he gets in striking distance, just a warning for ball carriers.
75. Shawn Oakman, LE, Baylor
Raiders need to add some depth and competition to defense line opposite of Khalil Mack. To begin with Justin Tuck went into the sunset and retired as a Raider. At same token their young and very talented defense end Aldon Smith is suspended till the eleventh week of the season. While at same time he is a free agent still unsigned by any team. Leaving the Raiders in flux. However they two do have very dependable players at the position who very cable of starting Mario Edwards Jr,who’s coming off a neck injury but there is time set in stone on his return and then Denico Autry both know how to get to quarterback quite well.
In saying all that nothing hurts to find a gem at the position in the draft. Shawn Oakman has the look of a true born Raider. He's a freakish athlete that has the look of high draft choice displayed in the power of his frame. But he is limited on his upfield burst and no counters as a pass rusher, his length and ability to set a hard edge are no joke. Choosing the 6-9 280 lb Shawn Oakman who was considered a first round prospect heading into 2016 before two knee injuries. He is at the perfect spot to get drafted by the Raiders in the third round and who knows come season he may turn out to be quality starter. Oakman will develop into a better pass rusher in time but his lot may already be cast as a run-stopping 3-4 DE or 4-3 base end that fits the Raiders scheme of things right down to the script.
114. Paul Perkins, RB, UCLA
The Raiders have already an upcoming young 3-down back Latavius Murrary. But the team could definitely use a speedster in the backfield and that is good in the running game and can move around and cause havoc for defenders and give Murray a little rest.
Paul Perkins showed on his Pro-Day his true value like on tape. He is a great ball carrier and great at running through defenders to gain the extra yards the team needs. He brings leadership skills to the backfield with him he was the co-captain with the Bruins and was the top leading receiver out of the backfield ever for UCLA.
He is total package and will get better he can make defenders miss in a phone booth. His main to features that he brings with his excellent footwork with great balance and vision with a powerful body to drive forward with flare and patience. But don't expect him to excel on speed he is patient runner out of the backfield.
143. Brandon Shell, LT, South Carolina
In the offseason they did resign Donald Penn but there is nothing wrong with adding a young apprentice to the line who can grow into the position Shell has a massive frame but his techniques and use of hands have lots of room to improve. A good pick in the fifth round because if he does improve he can have a solid career in the NFL.
Shell has experience at both left tackle and right tackle. Being a 3-year starter at right tackle before moving over to left tackle makes him a better fit at right tackle. In this situation, he would come in and compete with backup left tackle Matt McCants for a roster spot.
154. Bralon Addison, WR, Oregon
Addison will complete the solid unit as route runner to add to the already solid targets that quarterback Derrick Carr has to throw to. Oakland only has five receivers on their depth chart with Michael Crabtree, Amari Cooper, Seth Roberts, Andre Holmes, and Andre DeBose who is more of a return specialist. One more receiver for depth would do wonders for the Raiders at this point.
194. Trevone Boykin, QB, TCU
Derek Carr is the starter and the star of the Raiders. But after his backup McGloin there is no one and you just never know what can happen in the NFL. Having a gun slinger and a guy with extra mobility can never hurt a team that's where Boykin will step in if Carr or McGloin cannot suit up.
234. Antwaun Woods, DT, USC
The biggest reason Oakland fell apart was due to injuries at defensive tackle with Dan Williams and Justin Ellis. Both Williams and Ellis are fantastic starters, but they have no depth behind those two players. One defensive tackle they could target in the seventh round is Antwaun Woods.
Del Rio has a proven track record for developing defensive tackles. He developed two Pro Bowlers in Jacksonville with Marcus Stroud and John Henderson, but the Jaguars never had depth behind those two players. Del Rio went to USC, and Woods had 41 total tackles, 7 tackles for a loss, and 3 sacks.
There is no question the 6-1 324 lb defensive tackle will fail as a starter. Woods could be the Raiders version of Ben Heeney at defensive tackle if Oakland can pick him up in the seventh round.
Oakland Raiders 2015 NFL Draft Grades
Posted By Chris Ransom on 5/13/2015
Chris Ransom breaks down the Raiders 2015 NFL Draft grades.
Oakland Raiders 2014 NFL Draft Grades
Posted By Chris Ransom on 5/12/2014
Chris Ransom breaks down the Raiders 2014 NFL Draft grades.
Click the links for access to your favorite NFL Teams.
Oren Shiri on 3/25/2016
Oakland Raiders 2016 NFL Mock Draft
