The Raiders, with the trade of Amari Cooper to Dallas on Monday, now have three first-round picks in the 2019 NFL draft. While we usually despise early looks at the draft when the season is only half done, in this case, we’re making an exception.
While Raider Nation eagerly awaits the next move by the Raiders in the reshaping of their entire roster, we’ll take a look at home the team could get stronger and defense, draft another quarterback, and find a speedy wideout to help create a true vertical threat. We don’t know if Derek Carr is going anywhere (a personal aside: I hope he doesn’t. I like Carr and think he can be the QB we all think he can be and has been) but for the sake of this overview, let’s assume the Raiders are looking at long-term alternatives to Carr. That doesn’t mean they part ways with him.
Here’s a look at how we see possible outcomes for the Raiders in the first round of the draft April 25-27, 2019 in Nashville, Tenn. NOTE: This is built on the assumption the Raiders will pick third or fourth in the first round with their own pick based on their season record in 2018.
Draft order prior to Raiders First pick:
1 – Arizona Cardinals – Jonah Williams, OT, Alabama
2 – San Francisco 49ers – Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
3 – New York Giants – Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon
Pick 4 – Raiders – Ed Oliver, DT, Houston
Despite the needs everywhere, Oliver is a talent on defense that fits perfectly with last year’s draft class of Maurice Hurst, PJ Hall, and Arden Key. He’s one of the top players in the country and would instantly improve the Raiders defense up front. No, he doesn’t come close to replacing Khalil Mack, but he will shore up the front and the Raiders would improve immensely.
Pick 9 (From Dallas) – Raiders – Ryan Finley, QB, NC State
Finley is a deadly accurate quarterback, which is vital for a kid making the jump from college to the pros. While he has some work to do with field vision, you can’t teach accuracy and he would fit nicely in Gruden’s system. Watching him this season, what impresses us is his decision making. He’s a heady football player with the personality and demeanor to click with Gruden. This pick could easily go defense if the Raiders, as we expect, keep Carr as their go-to QB. Note: this does not necessarily mean Derek Carr doesn’t remain a Raider even if Finley is selected.
Pick 14 (From Chicago) – Raiders – AJ Brown, WR, Ole Miss
Brown is a true vertical magician and would fit in well in the Gruden offense. He’s got the speed, the hands, and the strength and is particularly good after the catch. Brown is made for the West Coast offense and would help a Raiders offense that now lacks any real punch down the field.
These selections are by no means shocking or surprising based on the performance of all three players above. Of course, things can change between now and April so it’s only an early swag. With the Raiders season all but over, it at least gives fans and the rest of us an opportunity to see what might be next for this team.