Oakland Raiders 2016 NFL Draft Selections (Rounds 4-7) + Final Thoughts

Round 4, Pick 100 (TRADE UP from 114): Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State

Highlights:

Comment: I was following Day 3 of the draft on my phone while I was in S.F. with family. When I saw that the Raiders selected a quarterback in Connor Cook, I'll admit I was holding my head in confusion. My initial reaction was "what are we doing?" We already have Derek Carr. We have a solid backup in Matt McGloin. Why trade up, lose the extra 5th rounder, and waste a fourth round pick on a position that we don't need? Then as I researched more through my phone, I realized the bigger picture. McGloin will be an unrestricted free agent next year and he likely wants a shot as a starter to another team and the Raiders will eventually pay Carr top-tier money once his rookie contract was up. That's one of the few reasons why this pick makes sense. Before the Raiders traded up, Cook was on the boards of the Cowboys, Chargers, and Chiefs and they're looking for someone to groom when Romo, Rivers, and Alex Smith eventually call it quits. Cook was the best quarterback available after Goff, Wentz, and Paxton Lynch went in the first round and the Raiders scooped him up before they do. Another reason is that Cook can be used as trade bait, so if he develops to be one heck of a backup to Derek Carr and fills in admirably if Carr were to get hurt, another team could use his service and will probably "give up the farm" to the Raiders for Connor Cook. This can be a genius pick or it could backfire. Remember Tyler Wilson from three years ago? Raiders let Wilson go for nothing since he wasn't a fit and McGloin beat him out. Hopefully, this works this time around because this is a risky pick and a highly questionable one for the Raiders.

Round 5, Pick 143: DeAndre Washington, RB, Texas Tech

Highlights:

Comment: So, the Raiders missed out Devontae Booker to screw up some other teams' draft boards to take Connor Cook. We're screaming for a running back and finally, in the fifth round, the Raiders select DeAndre Washington out of Texas Tech. The expectation is that he'll be the complementary back to Latavius Murray. I heard Paul Perkins out of UCLA was still on the board, I thought he would be a better pick, but I'll live with Washington since he fills a need as a change-of-pace back. He had quite a productive year as a senior for the Red Raiders, racking up 1,455 rushing yards and 14 rushing TDs and 304 receiving yards and 2 receiving TDs. Based on his highlights, he is capable of running in between the tackles, he has pretty quick acceleration once he sees a hole even though he needs to be quicker because defenses in the NFL are much faster closing in at running backs. He reminds me of Maurice Jones-Drew. The funny thing is Washington is almost the same size as MJD and did pattern his game after him. So, I think I'll live with this pick even if we passed up on some better prospects. Murray has a partner-in-crime and it looks like Roy Helu will be shown the door after Washington's selection.

Round 6, Pick 194: Cory James, LB, Colorado State

Highlights:

Comment: The Raiders use the 6th round to stock up some depth at the linebacker position and possibly at special teams. Looking at Cory James' draft profile, he was mainly used as a pass rusher on passing downs, the sack totals are pretty decent: 7.5 sacks (2013), 8 sacks (2014), 6.5 sacks (2015). James was one of Colorado State's most consistent playmakers and he was converted to play the middle linebacker position just last season. Essentially, he can play at any position. I heard the Raiders actually worked James to play either strongside or weakside linebacker. Again, versatility is emphasized here in this pick. Cory James is likely going to be a special teamer and a project at best.

Round 7, Pick 234: Vadal Alexander, G, LSU

Highlights: 

Comment: With the Raiders' final pick, they addressed depth on the O-line by selecting this big man out of LSU, Vadal Alexander. 300+ pounds, definitely, he's a fit in the power running game. Again, versatility is considered here and Alexander was capable of playing Left Guard and Right Tackle during his tenure with the Tigers. However, according to his draft profile, he has slow feet and slow change of direction against defenders. He'll get the benefit of a doubt in being coached by one of the best O-line coaches in the NFL in Mike Tice and he's going to be essential as insurance if one player of the Raiders' potential elite O-line goes down (which we hope doesn't happen).

Conclusion

After evaluating each selection, this was a pretty okay class for the Raiders. It's not as legendary as the 2014 class nor is it as great as the 2015 class, but it's just average at best. I liked the Karl Joseph pick. The Jihad Ward pick was "meh." The Shilique Calhoun pick was a solid steal. The Connor Cook pick will continue to make us scratch our heads unless he actually beats out McGloin because McGloin won't go down without a fight and he knows the system well. DeAndre Washington fills a need for a complementary RB. Finally, Cory James and Vadal Alexander are selected to stock up depth. With the way the Raiders built this roster with the 2014 and 2015 draft class and with the 2016 free agency, they've addressed every glaring need on their roster and they used this draft to take the BPA (Best Player Available) in the first round and stock up on some depth. Yes, to the casual fan who doesn't follow college football too much, it's underwhelming, but we'll see how they pan out as the season progresses. Right now, this team is stacked with young talent and this draft is used to add more "nuts and bolts" to this team.

Grade: B-

Oakland Raiders 2016 NFL Draft Selections (Rounds 2-3)

Round 2 Pick 44: Jihad Ward, DE, Illinois

Highlights:

Comment: Now keep in mind, I don't follow college football a lot. Last year I did because I was high on Amari Cooper coming to Oakland, so I kept following some Alabama games. Since I don't follow too much college football, this pick was a head scratcher to me even though Mike Mayock loves his story and how he worked his way up. The Raiders value good stories, but there were a couple of better defensive end/defensive tackle prospects on the board like A'Shawn Robinson, Jarren Reed, Andrew Billings; they could've waited in the 3rd round to select Sheldon Day out of Notre Dame (I'm just following what mock drafts say, scouts, PFF, etc.). When I saw his highlights and game tape against Perdue and Iowa, it was a little "meh." Like I said, Reggie and Jack love versatile players and Ward can play both the DE and DT position on the defensive line. PFF graded him high in terms of run stopping. Pass rush? I heard his pass rush fell off and according to the NFL draft profile, he's not a counter pass rusher because when one technique doesn't work, he'll just give up on the fly. But I have full faith and confidence that he'll be coached up under Del Rio, Norton, and Jethro Franklin. A lot of people are comparing this pick to the Mario Edwards, Jr. pick last year, but I thought MEJ's highlights and tape were more convincing to see when he the Raiders drafted him. Again, this is my opinion, this pick was a little "meh." I wasn't too convinced on his tape and highlights, but I trust the coaching staff to coach him up to his potential. 

Round 3 Pick 75: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State

Highlights:

Comment: I've seen Shilique Calhoun's name pop up in a couple of 7-round mock drafts. So, for Day 2, the Raiders decide to use Rounds 2-3 to beef up the defensive line. And like the old saying goes in football: "you can never have to many pass rushers." Calhoun had quite the production in the sacks department with 27 sacks in his four-year collegiate career at Michigan State. He finished amassing 100+ tackles, five fumble recoveries, and an interception. When you see his highlights, he looks like an absolute beast in getting after the quarterback, but the more game tape you see of Calhoun, there's a mismatch. Even though he's good in pass rushing, he has a hard time stuffing the run. So, most likely, he'll be a situational pass-rusher as 4-3 DE or a 3-4 OLB and the Raiders run a hybrid of both. This pick, I can live with even though I was hoping the Raiders would use a 3rd round pick for a complementary running back to Murray like a Devontae Booker. This is a solid pick. I would say I like this pick more than Jihad Ward selection in the 2nd round, but they're both good depth picks to beef up the D-Line and make this pass-rush even more scary with Mack, Irvin, and Aldon Smith.

Oakland Raiders 2016 NFL Draft Selections (Round 1)

Round 1, Pick 14: Karl Joseph, Safety, West Virginia

Highlights:

Comment: Early on this year, I was looking at a couple of highlights of 1st round prospects the Raiders could take with their #14 pick. It ranged from Mackensie Alexander to Ezekiel Elliot to Sheldon Rankins and to Myles Jack. And during that span, I did come across some highlights of Karl Joseph and saw a little bit of tape of him in an actual game against Oklahoma. During this draft, I liked the idea that Myles Jack would fall to us, then when I heard that Karl Joseph was the selection, I had somewhat of a mixed reaction, but it's mainly positive. I thought he would've been still available during the 2nd round because his stock dropped off after the ACL injury, but the Raiders were comfortable drafting him at the #14 spot. When I saw Karl Joseph's highlights, my first impression was that this guy is a hard hitter. He's also a solid tackler in the open field against the run and he has a nose for the football. I heard he had three interceptions in one game, lead the nation in with five interceptions before his ACL tear; he's always around where the football is at. Joseph could be that hard hitting enforcer-type Safety that the Raiders haven't had in a long time since "The Assassin," Jack Tatum. Albeit he's a little small in size, I heard he can play anywhere from Free Safety to Strong Safety to Nickel Safety. Keep in mind, McKenzie and Del Rio love versatile players. The number of selections that the Raiders made on players who can play anywhere on the field is evident: Mack (OLB/DE), Carrie (CB/S), Cooper (Outside/Slot Receiver), Edwards, Jr. (DT/DE), Ball (OLB/ILB), Feliciano (T/G/C) to name a few. Add Karl Joseph to the list of versatile players. Even though Charles Woodson retired, Joseph will still benefit playing behind veteran safeties Reggie Nelson and Nate Allen. Not to mention, he also has Marcus Robertson and the Hall-of-Famer Rod Woodson coaching him up. Good pick, a little bit of a reach at the 14th spot, but he can be the guy patrolling the secondary on the defense for a very long time.