Draft Night Thread
Gotta hit on this one, no more lackluster drafts for The Gruden Show.
Weird Aaron Rodgers rumors are swirling, teams are set to trade up or out, and the Raiders need to nail it!
Grab your popcorn, tonight is going to be fun!
posted by Raider Take at 2:13 PM
41 Comments:
To borrow a word from Wayne, Schwing!
At some point, there needs to be accountability. Right?
Tonight is going to be fascinating before the Raiders pick. Lots of action, rookie and vets. 49ers mortgaged their future on their pick.
First time in history that the first 7 players selected are offensive. Good news for the Raiders if they want Michah Parsons.
Jon Gruden continues to ruin this team. I hate him. Take you said they couldn't miss with this pick, and they missed big. Christian Barmore and Jeremiah Owusuna-Koramoah on the board, and goes for Alex Leatherwood, whom could have been picked at #48.
Raiders did it again! With Jaelen Phillips in their grasp, they selected a player who was scouted as 2nd round talent and who ESPN said had about 50% odds that he would have still been available when the Raiders pick in Rd 2.
Phillips was a consensus pick at a position of need. Dolphins drafted him with the next pick!
Raiders show us again they think they are smarter than the rest of the NFL. They are either arrogant or stupid. Maybe both.
Raiders felt they needed to pick a tackle, who will play guard, with 17th overall pick ??
this was their most pressing need ? For a team that misses the playoffs like, every year!!
What a sad, sad joke they have become.
It doesn't hurt any less this morning. Clearly, the Raiders are not going to build a team through the draft, at least not all in the same decade.
There must be some corporate doctrine that forbids Raiders HC/GM from selecting the best player available, even if that player plays a position of need.
After Mayock spouted last week that the Raiders have their solution at RT in-house (apparently, a ridiculous ploy to throw others off), they drafted one out of desperation at #17. I guess a lot of mock drafts had the Raiders picking Leatherwood... IN THE 2ND ROUND!
Ferrell
Arnette
Ruggs
Leatherwood
You couldn't begin to list the talent the Raiders have passed up to select these guys. And, it wasn't that long ago the Raiders traded up to draft Brandon Parker to play RT.
I guess being good at scouting mid-round talent isn't good enough. At some point, you need to string together a few decent early round picks. Raiders had their choice of some of the best players in the country... especially, after so many QBs were taken ahead of their pick. That was a gift, as it turned out, for a smarter team... Miami selected the top rated edge player in the draft, Jaelen Phillips, with the next pick.
Phillips might not turn out to be topflight NFL talent but at least the Dolphins won't be accused of stupidly reaching. Once upon a time, the Raiders selected Michael Huff at #7. Huff was a consensus pick and I never felt they made a mistake, even though Huff didn't pan out.
As I've said, where's the accountability? Is Mark Davis okay with this pattern, over and over and over? Wouldn't he like to draft a consensus best player for a change (particularly if that player is a position of need!)? Or was Davis in the draft room patting scouts on the back and handing out participation trophies.
Very disappointed!
Gruden has been handed everything--10 years, $100 million, personnel control, hand-picked GM, oodles of FA acquisitions, tons of early draft picks (many of his making via trades such as Mack), new stadium and facilities. EVERYTHING. I'm at a loss for any excuse he might have for the Raiders not becoming a perennial playoff contender starting right now, in his fourth year. So we wait and see.
Consider too, Gruden has had the benefit of a stable QB position, something he covets. Alternately, it's way too late for him to tell us he made a mistake and should have moved in another direction from Carr. That ship sailed, IMO.
Thinking, painfully, about the Leatherwood pick, it seems to me the Raiders do not covet first round talent. By extension, they should trade back out of every first round in every draft... and they'd end up with mostly the same players (or skill level).
Mayock said the Leatherwood pick would be "controversial" but they wanted him. Okay, trade back 30 or 40 picks! At least get some value from your first round pick!
Instead, the Raiders started their draft in the late 2nd Round.
Let's hope they stay in the 2nd Round when they make their 2nd Round pick!
Guys tone down the hysteria. you would have been jumping for joy if they picked a saftery, Jenkins or Owusuna-Koramoah. Barimore, Nate that would have been a huge reach. Meanwhile they did not even get picked in the first round lol. Leatherwood is a day 1 starter in the NFL at guard or tackle. That is all we can ask for when you pick 17th. The guy played on the best team in the best conference and started for two years. Anyone who thinks Darrishaw is that much better is full of crap, and it is pure speculation to say he would have been there in the second round. Relax take a pill everything is fine.
NY seriously Phillips a position of need, they signed Yannick and have Crosby and Ferrell, I wouldn't exactly call that a position of need. Furthermore I live in Miami graduated from the U and watch every game. Phillips is no Bruce Smith.
Sandy
Sandy, it's about getting value for your draft picks. That's extremely meaningful in the NFL and, while not a perfect science, the Raiders habitually get it wrong. IMO, the Raiders just don't have that luxury.
Jaelen Phillips wasn't the only player available to the Raiders, but easily worthy of mention.
Honestly, suggesting the Raiders have their decade long pass rushing void solved with the trio of Yannick, Crosby and Ferrell is not exactly comforting. IMO, Edge is absolutely a position of need.
Raiders had 21 sacks in 2020.
Steelers had 56 sacks.
Not sure how you reconcile that....
I'm not sold on Jenkins, I think Spencer Brown and Dillon Radunz are better Tackles. Leatherwood will probably play OG because of his size. I don't think Leatherwood is a bad pick, just a bad first round pick, he was mid 2nd-early 3rd round talent by the majority of scouts in the NFL. I think the Raiders do this for the press, you know, no press is bad press. They are the laughing stock of the draft so far, but they are getting coverage. I truly think they were targeting Parsons, and when the Cowgirls took him, they went with Leatherwood. Not sure if they did their homework on any other. One thing is for sure, when they showed the Raiders War Room, no one looked thrilled.
Waltersfootball.com has OT ranked as #1. Sewell #2 Vera-Tucker #3 Rashawn Slater and #4 Leatherwood. The three aforementioned were off the board by the time it got to the Raiders. But again, not the best talent on the board, like Barmore. We will see. Hoping for better draft tonight, we have 3 picks, 1 in the second, and 2 in the 3rd. I am hoping for Owusuna-Koramoah for hybrid safety/LB, or Elijah Molden (S, Washington) in the 2nd. Maybe Spencer Brown (OT, N Iowa) and Benjamin St-Juste (CB, Minnesota) in the 3rd. We will see.
Nate, why is press important? This isn't a popularity contest.
I don't know where the Julio Jones sweepstakes stands but that's the best thing the Raiders can do for themselves right now. Getting Jones would blow away any draft pick they could possibly make.
Julio Jones!!!!
Trevon Moehrig (S, TCU) is a great pick for the Raiders who traded up. We lose #48 and 121, and pick up #43 and 230 in the 7th.
You see guys there was a a run on offensive lineman, no way Leatherwood would have been around when the Raiders picked in the second. The Raiders got the two players they wanted the two players they needed and the two positions on the team that were glaring holes now have day 1 starters. Y'all of little faith.
Sandy
A terrific 3rd Round too with Malcolm Koonce (DE, Buffalo, same college as Mack) and Divine Deablo (S, VT). These are top graded picks that will make an impact this season.
Sandy, with Spencer Brown (OT, N Iowa) still out there, we could have picked a OT just as good as Leatherwood. I think though, they will use him as Guard. I love these picks so far though. Again, not complaining about Leatherwood, just thought there were better athletes on the board, including Barmore.
NY,
The Raiders like their team name mentioned by the press. It gives them publicity, even when it is bad.
Nate where do you get your info from? They have already announced Leatherwood will start at RT. Spencer Brown is a semi-project that is not close to the same level as Leatherwood in terms of being able to start day 1.
Looks like the Raiders redeemed themselves a bit in Day 2, as "we" suspected they might. However, I find it interesting that they felt the need to select two safeties with 2nd and 3rd round picks. Redundancy like this has become a pattern, for the Raiders, most notably taking two OTs in the 1st and 3rd rounds of the same draft, but also at WR and CB.
With so many glaring needs, you'd think they'd be more diverse with selections. Is it simply that Gruden's Raiders don't have enough confidence in their own scouting to pick a position player of need and then move on to another position?
Or, perhaps Abrams' days are numbered?
I think it's a little of both. Abrams is not a good safety. At some point late last season, he ranked among the worst safeties in the NFL. But we don't need stats. We've seen him whiff in coverage on a regular basis. So replacing him with a competent safety is a welcome thought, IMO.
Konnce looks interesting. Warning: lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place (i.e., Buffalo!). This kid is no Mack but, used properly, he should upgrade our extremely weak pass rush. Turns out, edge was a position of need! Wink!
Keep it coming, please! Raiders need lots more help!
Diablo will play will lb.
Ssndy
Nate, Barmore looks like a beast in his highlight package. Raiders appear to be happy just swapping DTs with SF, but that's lame. Barmore looks like a foundational player on defense for the Pats.
Getting past the draft value aspect of the Leatherwood pick, I can't help but be concerned the kid is not a right tackle. Look what happened to Donald Penn when he moved to the right side.
There are very few switch hitters in baseball for a reason.
Sandy, I heard Mike Mayock's description of the Diablo ("a tweener player that they don't really assign a position to") but the Raiders have not had success with hybrid players, and it's cost them draft picks to find that out. I hope the Raiders didn't waste another 3rd round pick. Most teams draft a LB if they want a LB; the Raiders draft an oversized safety to play LB.
IMO, the Raiders should stop taking flyers on players which they really don't know how they will fit into their system.
We've seen this play out before. Diablo might be this year's Bowden. I'm not predicting anything, just pointing out the lack of success. "Visions of grandeur." We all get it sometimes, but we're not all paid millions $ to keep it in check.
I hope this time it works out!
NY, Diablo had something like four interceptions in nine games last year I'll take it no matter what position he plays. My expectations are a little lower than yours if you end up with two or even three decent starters out of a draft I think you've done well. I've said many times on this blog I watch a ton of sec I'm telling you you're going to be happy with Leatherwood.
Regards Ssndy
I like that the Raiders drafted 3 safeties, even if one is a tweener. I've lost confidence in Abrams. He's sometimes a baller against the run but totally incompetent in coverage. Raiders can do much better, and I think they may have.
And while I was upset they traded Hudson, I think it's smart to go into the off-season program with 2-3 viable centers, including one with significant starter experience.
I hope Leatherwood is the real deal. RT is too important to miss.
I think my favorite pick might be Koonce. However, I think we should fully expect Leatherwood and Moehrig to make immediate impact. Mayock listed the safety depth chart as Abrams and Heath. If the Raiders did their job in the draft (and free agency by reacquiring Joseph), neither Abrams or Heath will be starting.
In the end, Raiders drafted to needs, and may have landed a couple. Wheels up! Time to get to work.
Cheers!
NY, see below from The Athletic. Per your hybrid comment, with the TE being such a big part of offenses I think there is value in this type of player. Enjoy the weekend, Sandy
Mayock knew it was going to be “a defensive day” Friday after the Raiders had added offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood in the first round Thursday night. After Moehrig, the Raiders selected pass rusher Malcolm Koonce and linebacker Divine Deablo with back-to-back picks in the third round (Nos. 79 and 80).
Mayock had a Josh Jacobs moment when he first saw the tape of Koonce, out of Buffalo, months ago.
“I went to see (Jon) Gruden, I said, ‘Coach, there’s a kid that reminds me of some people in this league, and you’re going to laugh at me,'” Mayock said. “And I just said, ‘You’ve got to watch the tape. He’s a different kind of pass rusher. He’s got a natural slip.’”
Koonce is 6-foot-2, 249 pounds with long arms and can bend around the edge, putting up 14 sacks in his last 19 games at Buffalo. No one is comparing him to former Buffalo star Khalil Mack, but Mayock said Koonce has an “innate skill and ability to rush the quarterback.”
“He’s got a toolbox that you’d be surprised to see from a kid from Buffalo,” Mayock said. “I mean he’s got outside slip, he’s got a spin move. He’s got a fake spin move. I was teasing him about it on the phone a couple weeks ago. Like, you don’t see many college guys with a fake spin move.”
Who was the comp Mayock mentioned to Gruden?
Free-agent prize Yannick Ngakoue.
“They play a little different kind of style, but very similar size and an innate feel to get to the quarterback,” Mayock said. “So, I think it’s fairly ironic that they’re now going to be teammates.”
Deablo looks like and played like Kam Chancellor at Virginia Tech, but he will be moving to linebacker.
“Our linebacker coach Richard Smith jumped on the table and said this is a starting Will linebacker in the NFL,” Mayock said. “At 227 pounds, he ran a 4.42 and is a looser athlete than you would think for that size. He can probably even match up with some tight ends in our division and do some things creatively.”
Deablo reminded the Raiders of some players who went in the second round last year.
“The (Jeremy) Chinn kid went to Carolina in the second round and became their starting Will,” Mayock said. “And New England took a kid from a small school (Kyle Dugger) and they used him in a bunch of ways that were kind of cool. They used him at safety, they used him as kind of a dime linebacker, little bit of nickel.
“So, I think the league is changing to the point where you don’t necessarily have to find what the position is anymore on defense; you’re looking for big guys that can run. That’s what he is.”
Mayock didn’t think either Koonce or Deablo would make it to the Raiders. While some (cough) think he hasn’t gotten the best value for his first-round picks the last three years, Mayock said knowing that is actually his strength, a skill honed at his old job in the media.
One last comment re Leatherwood. People were down on Kolton when he was picked in the 1st and he has turned out to be a stud. In fact people were saying Raiders missed out on McGlinchey and Kolton is far superior. I trust Cable's instincts when it comes to o-line men---Parker aside lol
Sandy
From The Athletic. Sandy
Biggest surprises: Alex Leatherwood / Malcolm Koonce
It has to be Leatherwood. No one had him going as high as 17th, and Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw and Oklahoma State’s Tevin Jenkins were seen as better prospects. The Raiders considered trading down to get him but didn’t like the offers, stayed put and got their guy. They couldn’t have gone that far back, as league sources said the Ravens were planning to take him at 27. Leatherwood is a dominant run blocker whom offensive line coach Tom Cable fell in love with, and the Raiders wanted another tackle cornerstone to pair with Kolton Miller. They hope they got a younger, more reliable and slightly smaller version of Trent Brown.
— Vic Tafur
At least some evaluators had Leatherwood projected to go in the first round in mock drafts; Koonce was off the radar in the third round. For context, The Athletic draft analyst Dane Brugler had Koonce rated as his 200th overall prospect coming into the draft. Especially since edge rushers such as Pittsburgh’s Patrick Jones and Oklahoma’s Ronnie Perkins and other talented defensive players were still on the board, this one floored me. Most likely, Koonce could’ve been had in the fifth round. In retrospect, this is the Raiders, so perhaps I shouldn’t have been too shocked. Ideally, Koonce develops into a rotational speed rusher behind Yannick Ngakoue, whom Mayock compared him to, and Maxx Crosby.
— Tashan Reed
The interview with Mike Mayock is on the Raiders website. It's really good and puts more context on the quotes above. Mayock answers every question from media knowledgeably and with conviction that leaves the impression the Raiders drafted exactly whom they wanted.
That's great but also true is, the Raiders are now responsible for taking this draft and improving the team. No excuses, please!
My concerns expressed earlier in this thread remain the same. I'm no scout, so these are meaningless and only apply to me, the life-long fan who's been hanging since the 80's for the Raiders to bounce back.
Leatherwood - Raiders chose to go with a rookie at RT. Okay, scouts say Leatherwood is a road grader (like Jackson was out of college) but he can get burned by speed rushers. Problem is, the NFL (and AFCW in particular) is loaded with speed rushers. Also, Leatherwood played LT. As I expressed this concern before, switching sides can be a problem even for experienced vets.
Moehrig - Raiders drafted a top ranked S. This is a Michael Huff moment, only with greater value. If Moehrig doesn't work out, I can't (won't) blame the Raiders for trying. S is a huge position of need, and the Raiders addressed it.
Koonce - I'm not going to buy into the criticisms of this selection. It's a position of need and a good risk to take, on a productive kid that comes from the same program as Mack. He's a situational player that should provide immediate answers. Hopefully, he's not another Arden Key.
Deablo - Oversized safety playing LB and covering TEs sounds terrific, however, I will offer two words: Obi Melifonwu. This project has failed the Raiders before. Doesn't mean it will again but understand, this kid will need to cover the best TEs in football. Playtime is over. Not sure the bigger version of a safety is the formula for that.
Other picks are mostly fill-ins and depth but were selected for needs. You hope, and it wouldn't be unusual, for one or two guys (including undrafted FA rookies) to stand out and make the team.
The picks are in, now the real test begins.
It's time for results. I don't think Gruden gets another honeymoon period because he just hired Gus Bradley. That's not how this works, IMO. This is Year 4, no matter who the assistant coaches are, and no matter who's on the roster. It's on Gruden to produce a playoff team. Plenty of other head coaches have completely turned around programs in one year.
Whatever you think about the Leatherwood pick, i view this draft as a failure because, once again, linebacker and defensive line, and front seven in general, was an after thought in this draft.
So when we're watching games this season, and teams are running on the Raiders, and the Raiders have no pass rush, or sacks, remember this draft day, and the positions ignored.
it's great that the Raiders took a safety, because they need a safety, because all the other safeties they picked in the past were busts. Ok, this time is different we can hope i guess.
If i were Mark Davis, i would hold Mike Mayock very accountable for the Leatherwood pick. as in, Mayock's job should be on the line here. As Leatherwood goes, so should Mayock's job security go.
Raiders cannot hold Gruden accountable because he has 6 friggin years to go on his ridiculous deal. But Mayock is another story. So if the Raiders defense is bad again, and if Leatherwood is struggling, Mayock, IMO should get shown the door.
You get tired watching the same scenes play out, over and over. Small "cover linebackers running around all game doing nothing. Anyone else notice that Cory Littleton always has the cleanest uniform after the game ?
Anyone notice what an impact a rugged Lb like Devin White had for the Tampa Bucs ?
Oh well, the Raiders have "cover" Lb's, and this time the safety will work out, and Leatherwood will switch positions and he'll be just fine. Oh yeah, it's all gonna be just great.
Ask yourself, haven't we seen this movie before?? We should know the ending by now!!
Ghost, I agree. I believe the Raiders had opportunity to at least stopgap RT in free agency. This was supposed to be a defense-heavy draft and they began it with offense. No wonder the defense can never get its sh*t together.
The safety-heavy selections is largely because they've whiffed so badly in past drafts.
Anyone remember Tanner Muse? Of course not, but he was last year's version of Divine Deablo.
Since Gruden's arrival, Raiders have burned 3rd round picks habitually. If we're not sending one to Pittsburgh for their castoff WRs, we're burning it on players who don't contribute, or who can't even make the roster.
Brandon Parker
Arden Key
Tanner Muse
Lynn Bowden
Bryan Edwards (who still has a chance to show something)
And to your point, Cory Littleton is the guy standing around the pile of players after a tackle. So, no, his uniform does not get dirty.
The Raiders organization has no accountability. That much they have proven.
Undrafted Free Agents the Raiders have signed so far:
Garrett Groshek (RB, Wisconsin)
Max Richardson (LB, Boston College)
Darius Stills (DT, West Virginia)
TJ Morrison (DB, Stony Brook)
Devery Hamilton (OT, Duke)
Dillon Stoner (WR, OK St)
Matt Bushman (TE,BYU)
Trey Ragas (RB, LaFayette)
As far as the draft, I said before that I thought Barmore was the best athlete on the board at 17, and would have been a better pick than Leatherwood. I know we are not done in Free Agency either. I'm hoping for a savvy vet in the DB group, because seriously, the youth in this position is killing us too. I am hoping Koonce lives up to the hype. Bottom line, I'm not unhappy with the draft, but I'm not extremely happy with it either. I think this falls on Gruden more than Mayock, as we all know, it is Gruden calling the shots, not Mayock. Mayock does the grunt work that Gruden doesn't have time to do; but it is Gruden who makes the decisions concerning football personnel. I've said it before, if he fails to win this season, he should be shown the door, and MD should be forced to sell the team. Make it like Green Bay, a publicly traded company, and vote in a CEO. I vote Amy Trask, the Princess of Darkness!
Just Win, BABY!
Funny to see the Raiders signing undrafted RBs who have no chance of making the team, and probably not the practice squad either. A TE too. Some teams have brought in as many as 20 undrafted players. Did the Raiders fall asleep after the draft?
Nate, where do expect a "savvy vet" to play in the backfield? Raiders have already used money and draft stock to completely load the roster with DBs. They made their decisions. Not sure where else to go.
What they need is a #1 WR. The WR group is weak.
Ghost Not enough defense? 5 out of 7 players drafted were defense. They completely turned over the defensive line, you act like the Raiders don't recognize the defensive shortcomings and are not trying to address it. Signing Yannick was awesome he is a top tier pass rusher and only 25
NY, WR I am of the opinion Ruggs, Renfrow, Edwards, Brown, Snead and Zay Jones is better that the top 6 last year which included Doss and Ateman, Williams and Rico
On another note watch out for Bushman from BYU he was awesome in 2019 and had he not been injured in 2020 would have gone in the second or third
Sandy
I think Ghost Ship's point is a good one. Round 1 is where you draft a plug and play starter. Raiders went offense. Leatherwood must be really good to warrant a first round selection over a defense starved for talent.
It's a fair opinion.
Raiders still have more questions than answers.
Jeff Heath out at S; Casey Hayward in at CB.
These moves round out a busy off-season at S and CB.
If lots of bodies means better production, then, job well done. It will be interesting to see how that bears out.
you guys critize no matter what they do Leatherwood is plug and play. if they had taken him second and Trevon first you wouldn't have said shit. Hayward is a great signing. Sandy
Sandy, I would agree with that. It may have made more sense to reverse 1-2 draft picks. Both picks would have been a reach at #17 but Leatherwood is being asked to switch positions. I see that as unnecessary risk.
If we've learned anything from past drafts, saying Leatherwood is plug and play doesn't make it so. He's played RG but not RT. Nothing is automatic, particularly changing positions. Even if he can make the transition with his footwork, he could end up being another Brandon Parker. Parker also gets burned by speed rushers, and he's the reason we needed to draft another RT.
These are real concerns. Why not discuss them?
Honestly, you make it sound like we are pushing granny out into traffic. Raiders are a multi-billion dollar organization. Having faith is great but it hasn't been enough so far.
Gruden's 4th year as HC is highly unusual, to say the least.
Coming into this season, the Raiders fired their DC and dismantled their vet offensive line. Their WR corp is the most inexperienced group in the NFL (I don't need to look that up... it's a safe guess) and the massive rotation of DBs still hasn't yielded two, let alone four quality starters. The Raiders made a bid to solve their pass rush but one quality FA might not be enough. Their LB group is weak, and they mostly addressed that by bringing back the same guys.
Again, these are all valid issues and worthy of discussion.
From PFT...
"Raiders General Manager Mike Mayock acknowledges that the Raiders could have traded down. But he said the only trade offer they got wasn’t a very good one, and that he and the Raiders’ staff were high enough on Leatherwood that they didn’t want to risk losing him."
As it turned out, only one other offensive tackle was selected in the first round after Leatherwood, Christian Darrisaw to Minnesota at No. 23. So there was no run on offensive tackles, and the Raiders could have moved down and still taken one of the top tackles on the board. But Mayock insists that the value of trading down wouldn’t have been worth the risk of losing their preferred tackle."
Ok, that's their call, but the Raiders have no room for error. They needed to get this right. Leatherwood is their guy!
NY
I have addressed Leatherwood but will do so again for you. He played LT on the best team in the country in the best conference against the highest competition week in and week out for 2 seasons. I would say that is close to plug and play. He is a dominant run blocker much more so than the only other guy worth taking at 17 which was Darrisaw. Run blocking is key for the Raiders offense more so than pass pro given Gruden's philosophy and Carr's quick release and line of scrimmage adjustments. That is why Leatherwood is better for the Raiders than Darrisaw. There are ample reports that he would not have made it to the Raiders in the second round and probably been taken in the late 20s in the first. You seem to be fixated on his move to RT, I think it is a positive as he will be less on an island in pass pro.
Here is where I am taking issue with the people on this blog. We all, myself included bitched an moaned about how bad the Raiders d was and we all worried about the dismantling of the o line. I will give you that and I share your feelings. However, the Raiders have gone out and plugged every conceivable hole that existed.
Our oline will be just as good as last year pending Incognito staying healthy he is better than Jackson, I take Leatherwood over Parker or Sam Young at RT any day so that is a step up as Trent Young did not play the whole year. so it comes down to Hudson versus Nick Martin and Andre James, so yes a falloff but lets see how much and a huge money savings. To me 2 positions will improve and one wont, tons of money saved, sounds like a decent tradeoff
The defensive backfield, between the draft picks, Joseph Heyward and Butler the talent is better. The Raiders are not standing pat to see if Arnette and Abrham are the real deal. Yeah I pissed off that might be two wasted 1st rounders but I appreciate the honesty of management to bring in fresh blood both in terms of the draft and solid vets.
Defensive line, much improved just by the sheer presence of Yannick a true pass rusher and I am sure one of the 30 DT tackles (my money is on Jefferson) they have will end up being an improvement on Hurst and whoever was playing 3 technique last year. Not to mention they brought your boy Hankins back.
WR you need to think of the passing game in totality. Renfrow is proven, Waller is a monster the best, and between Ruggs, Edwards, Snead and Brown the targets will be there for Carr. Passing game is solid if not spectacular pending Ruggs development more than fine. Backfield is improved with Drake and will contribute catching the ball also
LB not a premium position they only play two the majority of time, let's see what Littleton does in a simpler scheme, Nick was solid and Morrow might have been the best player on the D last year. Taking anyone but Parsons at 17 would have been a huge reach and would have overlooked a more pressing need
Glass half full my brother, cheer up
Sandy
New take is up!
Sandy and NY,
I think a lot of people under estimate the Zay Jones signing at WR, this is the most under-rated signing of the offseason. I'm super excited about that one. The Casey Hayward and Yannick signings were huge too. Don't rule out Tanner Muse at LB either. He was injured last year and didn't get on the field, but he was a steal in the draft. I think he is going to be a play maker for that group.
Amik Robertson struggled last year with the playbook, because of other players being out of position. He has spent the offseason with the new DC, Addison Lynch, and the playbook, and I think he is still one of the top young CB's from the draft last year. He is a solid guy who struggled last season due to lack of coaching and accountability of other players.
As far as Leatherwood, the reviews have really been mixed. At the time of the pick, I was disappointed mainly because of who was left on the board. I still have mixed feelings about it, but it is a lot similar to the Kolton Miller pick. Miller was stellar his rookie season, and struggled because he was playing through an injury. If Leatherwood turns out to be similar, then the Raiders struck gold. So, that is the scenario I am hoping for.
I can be disappointed all I want, but it's the Gruden show, and he hasn't really given us much trust with his decisions. IMO, I'd still rather us have Barmore, and thought Dillon Radunz and Spencer Brown were better Tackle prospects than Leatherwood. Both are from smaller schools, have more to lose, and will fight harder than a 'Bama player coming into the NFL. Again, only my opinion.
Can't wait to see what the Raiders do this season, as the ol' saying goes, "winning cures everything." We fans, are in need of some curing. JUST WIN, BABY!
Sandy, quick response to your last take on this thread, I like what you're saying and appreciate your insight about Leatherwood, whom I know less about. Still a few uncertainties that I'm not willing to commit, like offensive line, WR production. Only time will tell.
Nate, Zay Jones had flashes in Buffalo then disappeared and became expendable. I don't think he's underrated. He has yet to earn that.
Muse and Deablo aren't both going to make the roster. It wouldn't be a surprise if neither made it. Raiders only carried three LBs at times.
Robertson is handicapped in the NFL by his small size. His college tape he looks fluid and aggressive around the ball. In the NFL, he's lost. IMO, he's one of the DBs on the bubble with the Raiders recent spree of new DBs.
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