The Oakland Raiders are coming off of a second straight 4-12 season and that puts the team at the top of the draft once again and names like Sammy Watkins, Greg Robinson, Justin Gilbert, Khalil Mack, Anthony Barr, Jake Matthews and Michael Sam have come up in rumors connected to the team, putting those as potential mock picks for Dennis Allen and GM Reggie McKenzie.
Last season the Raiders opted to trade down from their number three spot with the Miami Dolphins to get the player they wanted all along in DJ Hayden and now they have the chance once again to make a top five pick. The draft this season is deep, so expect the Raiders to get some attention for potential trades, but also expect to remain at their number five pick, as there are a number of impact players that will be available.
The Raiders went defense last season and that has many speculating that they will go on the offensive side of the ball and names like Johnny Manziel, Teddy Bridgewater, Blake Bortles or Sammy Watkins could be there for the taking. The team also could look at someone like Greg Robinson or Jake Matthews on the offensive line, as the Raiders have a number of free agents hitting the market at that position.
The defensive side of the ball has some stars as well and if Jadeveon Clownery falls to number five, Allen and McKenzie may not be able to pass that up. The team will have options though on both sides of the ball and this crop of players looks much stronger than last season. Clowney has put up some great numbers at the combine, but there are questions about his work ethic and that could force him to slip, but his forty time was amazing and that should lock him in as a top three pick.
The Raiders have an interesting spot in the first round of the draft, as they could be out of the mix for the top of the crop that goes in the first four picks, but they are in position to get a difference maker in Watkins, Greg Robinson, Justin Gilbert, Khalil Mack, Anthony Barr and Jake Matthews, while Michael Sam could be an option later in the draft. Watkins showed off his blazing speed and he could be a great pick for the Raiders, as Jacoby Ford is a free agent and the team needs more weapons at wide receiver with Denarius Moore and rookie Brice Butler. Watkins was very productive during his time in college and he put up great numbers last season and blazing speed at the combine.
Matthews and Robinson are considered the best linemen in the draft and they each put up very good numbers at the combine, with Robinson putting up an amazing forty time for a player his size. The Raiders may lose left tackle Jared Veldheer and if that happens, expect these two to move up on the draft board. Matthews has a nice pedigree behind him and he has all the measurable to be a top pick.
