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Eight NFL rookies who landed on the wrong team

NFL rookies, MitchTrubisky (North Carolina) is selected as the number 2 overall pick to the Chicago Bears in the first round the 2017 NFL Draft at Philadelphia Museum of Art.

6. Obi Melifonwu, safety, Oakland Raiders

NFL rookies, Obi Melifonwu

When Oakland took Melifonwu late in Round 2 (No. 56 overall), there were two schools of thought running through our minds at the same exact time.

First, based on talent, landing Melifonwu at that point in the draft was a steal if we’re basing our thought on his status as a top-of-the-line physical freak. What this UConn product did at the combine was nothing short of awe inspiring. At 6-foot-4, 224 pounds, he ran a 4.4-second 40 and jumped out of the building, showing off world-class athleticism.

The second thought we had was, “where are the Raiders going to play him?”

And there lies the conundrum — the reason why we see Melifonwu landing in Oakland — a team that has generally struggled to draft defensive backs in recent years — as a stroke of bad luck. Let’s not forget, Oakland drafted Karl Joseph last year with the No. 14 overall pick. Joseph and Melifonwu play the same position, so we’re a bit confused why the Raiders didn’t just use their pick to take another cornerback or look to address other areas of need.

Melifonwu will used as a free safety for Oakland and will play behind Reggie Nelson until he’s ready to step into the starting lineup. But this is a guy who, despite his raw speed, is better suited to play on the strong side, which Joseph occupies, thanks to his physicality and ability to cover tight ends.

We’re not convinced this will be a marriage made in heaven.

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