When the Raiders taking a slower pace during free agency, all roads appear to focus on the draft. Armed with ten picks, Oakland needs to bring back a few starters and add depth to the fold. Meanwhile, the Chiefs look to rebuild on the fly. As a result, the Raiders need to succeed with more than one pick.

First Round, 10th overall

Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

Blessed with a monstrous frame (6-foot-5, 253 pounds and a 34 ½-inch arm length) and ludicrous speed (4.54 40 time), Edmunds is one of the premier size-speed combo packages in this draft. His combine numbers match the tape. Edmunds gives the Raiders a moveable chess piece as he has the size to be an edge rusher and speed and wiggle to be a cover shifty running backs and bigger tight ends — two things the Raiders have historical issues with.

The possibilities will keep defensive coordinator Paul Guenther up all night with ways of deploying Edmunds. In addition, Edmunds does not turn 20 until May.



Round 2

41st Overall

Carlton Davis, DB, Auburn

New Defensive Coordinator Paul Guenther needs more talent at all three levels on defense. Adding Carlton Davis to the secondary helps. A lanky, physical, and ball-hawking corner, Davis shows the ability to body the bigger wide receivers in the league. Against stiff competition in, the 2017 All-SEC performer tallied 21 pass breakups in his last two seasons at Auburn. With the chance to pair Davis and Gareon Conley, the Raiders would boast a talented duo to lead the position for the next 4-6 years



Round 3

75th Overall

Mike Gesicki, TE, Penn State

Gesicki fell to Round 3 in the draft. However, he ranks as one of the top rated tight ends in the draft. While his in-line blocker needs work, the superathletic rookie has the chance to dominate in the red zone.



Round 4 –

110th overall

Deontay Burnett, WR, USC

Regardless of the Raiders signing Griff Whalen, the Raiders need a receiver that can operate the slot effectively. That is to say, Oakland needs someone to catch the ball. With that said. Burnett runs clean routes and can take the top off a defense.



Round 6

185th overall,

Jalyn Holmes, DE, Ohio State

With Denico Autry’s future undecided and an overall dearth of talent, the Raiders select the Ohio State product. More importantly, Holmes’ quickness and versatility allow him to slide inside on passing downs.



192nd overall

Brett Toth, OT , Army

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If Mike Tice still coached the offensive line, Toth would not hear his name. On the contrary, he fits Tom Cable’s idea of a tackle. Toth bends and moves well to meet the rusher. In addition, he fires off the ball in the run game. In the sixth round, Toth could be the right tackle of the future.



210th overall

Marcus Allen, S, Penn State

With the soon-to-depart Reggie Nelson and no one behind Melifonwu and Joseph, the Raiders need depth. As a result, a thumper like Allen fits the mold. With an aggressive striking style, Allen lives to detonate opponents. Whether in subpackages or special teams, Allen gives Oakland a bit of nastiness.



212th overall

Isaac Yiadom, CB, Boston College

When Derrick Ansley took over coaching responsibilities in the secondary, he inherited a mess. With question marks all over, Ansley needs another corner to shore up a porous unit. Moreover, Yiadom’s long frame and reach are what Reggie McKenzie looks for in a corner.



216th overall

Joe Ostman, DE, Central Michigan

While Ostman does not possess the astonishing measureables, he brings something that Reggie McKenzie cherishes: production. During his career as a Chippewa, Ostman snared 26 sacks, 45.5 TFL and forced eight fumbles. With this mind, realize how Ostman plays. He dominated with effort, hustle, and a stout bull rush. His style is not pretty. Instead, he is effective, which is what you want in a rusher.



217th overall

Jarvion Franklin, RB, Western Michigan

Currently, the Marshawn Lynch situation remains up in the air. Whether Lynch returns or not, the Raiders still have run game issues. Behind Lynch, DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard face an interesting future. Enter Franklin. In his years as a coach, Gruden loves the big, bruising backs. Franklin fits the bill. Notably, Franklin found the end zone 56 times and displayed sound hands a receiver. Franklin runs with power, poise, and punishment.



Round 7 – No. 228 overall

Nick Bawden, FB, San Diego State

In reality, we knew that Gruden would focus on a bruising fullback. From John Ritchie to Mike Alstott, Gruden shows love for the position. In addition, if Lynch stays, operating behind a fullback will help him. On the other hand, Jamize Olawale does not seem to fit the bruiser mold that the new head coach seeks. Bawden plows straight into the line with authority. His blocks resemble assaults more than anything else. Below, keep your eye on Bawden.