The Oakland Raiders are busy scouting talent at the Senior Bowl down in Mobile, Alabama. However, it appears that their top picks for the upcoming NFL Draft are not even playing in the game. While many assume the Raiders are going to target a quarterback in the draft, a certain defensive star has caught their attention.
CSN Bay Area reports the Raiders are heavily pursuing former South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney with their No. 5 overall pick. Clowney is currently down in Mobile to meet with teams before the upcoming NFL scouting combine and Oakland is making sure to get their face-to-face time.
Clowney would certainly be welcomed on the Raiders defensive line. The team is in desperate of a big pass rusher presence. They have considered signing free agent Lamar Houston, but Clowney is a young talent with the physical tools to make a different for many years to come. While he battled injuries during his junior season, he put up 13 sacks his sophomore year while demonstrating a great deal of speed and agility.
Drafting at No. 5 makes things tough for Oakland. The chances Clowney is still around then is very slim. The Jacksonville Jaguars are considered the heavy favorite to land the defensive star, so the Raiders would likely have to move up to get him. As result, the Raiders are considering their options with a quarterback. Reggie McKenzie has spent plenty of time praising Johnny Manziel, but again, unless the Houston Texans make a trade for a quarterback, the Texas A&M star will be off the board.
"He's a playmaker," McKenzie said, via ESPN.com. "Whether it's him or whether it's any one of these other guys, when you can add a playmaker to your team that's what you're shooting for. Be it the draft, be it (a) free agent. It doesn't matter. And Johnny is a playmaker."
Another quarterback getting the attention of the Raiders is Tajh Boyd of Clemson. Currently attempting to wow scouts at the Senior Bowl, Boyd told reporters that the Raiders have been showing the most interest in him over any other team.
Many mock drafts have the Raiders targeting an offensive lineman to assist in their quarterback trouble. Players like tackle Jake Matthews, Greg Robinson and Cyrus Kouandjio are the best available ahead of the combine.
