It’s draft day. But before we begin to find out who the Raiders will be selecting, we must get to the business of my seven-round mock draft. Because, it’s never too late for me to be completely wrong.
Here is my attempt. Enjoy.
Round 1, pick 7: **TRADE**
Raiders trade out of the number seven pick. Here are the details of the trade:
Texans get pick 7
Raiders get picks 12 and 33
Round 1, pick 12 -- Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
The Raiders move down and still get their guy. Witherspoon immediately steps into a starting cornerback spot for the Raiders. A position they desperately need to fill.
Round 1, pick 33 – O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida
That trade down proves valuable as the Raiders land just the mauling guard this offensive line needs. Another instant starter.
Round 2, pick 38 – Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
He may not be ready to go right now. But the Raiders don’t need him to be ready right now. They have Jimmy Garoppolo for that. They get similar risk/reward in a young QB at 38 that they would have gotten at 7.
Round 2, pick 70 – Keeanu Benton, DT, Wisconsin
Benton gives the Raiders the ability to push the pocket from the inside which is a great get at the top of the third round.
**TRADE**
Raiders move up. Here are the details of the trade:
Raiders get pick 92
Bengals get picks 100 and 144
Round 3, pick 92 – Sam LaPorta, TE, Iowa
After the tight end exodus this offseason, the Raiders restock from the tight end factory that is Iowa.
**TRADE**
Raiders trade up again. Here are the details:
Raiders get pick 103
Cardinals get picks 109, 214, and 231
Round 5, pick 103 – Daiyan Henley, LB, Washington State
Henley hopes to remind us that the boys of summer are gone. After putting up over 100 tackles each of the past two seasons for the Cougs, he could compete for playing time immediately. While contributing on special teams as well.
Round 5, pick 141 – Braeden Daniels, OT, Utah
One can not have too many versatile offensive linemen. The man was an All-Conference performer at both tackle spots the past two seasons and has played guard too in case that is needed. He wouldn’t have to go far to join his new team either.
Round 5, pick 174 – Andre Carter II, ED, Army
He’s got the NFL pedigree. Give him a year to sit behind Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby and he could outplay his draft position.
Round 6, pick 204 – TJ Bass, G, Oregon
Bass is an established college tackle who projects inside due to short arms. Definitely worth a late pick.
Round 7, pick 220 – Ty Okada, S, Montana State
It’s the special teams portion of the draft. Okada can do that. And he has the potential to maybe make some noise on defense too.