After the main wave of free agency has passed, the Raiders have improved. While they didn't sign any big-name free agents after Rodney Hudson, they did address and fill some needs including center, defensive tackle, middle linebacker, and depth at linebacker and running back. But their three biggest needs (wide receiver, defensive end, and offensive guard) have yet to be addressed. So without further adou, with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select:

Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Measurables: 6-1, 210 lbs

The Raiders need to get Derek Carr some weapons if they want him to develop into a franchise quarterback. With James Jones and Rod Streater as the Silver and Black's best receivers, and after whiffing in free agency, it is crucial they upgrade this off-season.

Not only does Cooper fill a massive need, but he is also one of the most talented players in the 2015 NFL Draft. The Heisman finalist finished the regular season with 124 receptions for 1,727 yards (13.9 avg.) and 16 touchdowns. Even more impressive is he put up those numbers in the highly competitive SEC.

Many analysts list his negatives as size and speed. He weighs the same as Kevin White, and at 6'1" has prototypical size for an NFL wide receiver. While his 40-yard dash at the 2015 NFL Combine was 4.42, it was realistically closer to a 4.35. Some receivers like Kevin White and Breshad Perriman play slower on the field than their 40-yard dash time. But Cooper looks like a 4.35 on film too and field speed is more important than track speed.

Cooper has sticky hands, catches the ball at its highest point, and has sneaky speed allowing him to be a playmaker. He is the best route runner in the 2015 NFL Draft and so many times was wide-open because of how precise his routes are.

The other receiver that is competing with Cooper to be the first receiver off the board is West Virginia's Kevin White. After an impressive senior season, White has caught the eye of many scouts and draft analysts. In many cases, he is rated slightly over Cooper.

But Cooper is a better fit for the Raiders as he is much more polished and will step in day one as the Raiders best receiver. He is also more versatile than White and has no weaknesses on the field. The Raiders haven't had a receiver pass 1,000 yards in a season since Randy Moss in 2005. Cooper would have a legitimate chance to pass that mark in his rookie year and would address the Raiders biggest need.





Round Two

Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU

Measurables: 6-5, 252 lbs

Justin Tuck is the Raiders a solid starter at defensive end, but this is his final season under contract. And left defensive end needs an upgrade as Benson Mayowa is penciled in as the starter. Hunter would start day one over Mayowa, and it would allow the Raiders to replace Tuck next season.

Hunter has a freakish combination of size, athleticism, and explosiveness. He ran a ridiculous 4.57 40-Yard Dash at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine which was easily the top time among defensive lineman. He also has very long arms which allows him to create separation between him and offensive lineman.

A former LSU coach had high praise for Hunter. "If he walked into your living room, your eyes would pop out of your head. He looks that good on the hoof. He's going to blow up the combine, and then ace all of the interviews and NFL teams are going to fall in love with him. He still needs someone to unlock all that talent, though."

Hunter is a bit of a project because while he is extremely talented, his production does not match his potential. He has one of the highest ceilings of any player in the draft, but will fall to the second round because he only managed 1.5 sacks last season. But while his sack numbers were low, Hunter led all SEC defensive lineman in "stuffs" (tackles for no gain or loss) with 17.

Third Round

Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State

Measurables: 5-10, 182 lbs

The Raiders missed out on the entire wide receiver market in free agency. By drafting both Cooper and Lockett, they sure up their receiving corps for a long time with Cooper as the number one, Streater as the number two, and Lockett in the slot. Slot receivers are very underrated in the NFL, but most top offenses also have a top slot weapon.

At the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine, Lockett was impressive and posted top times in the 40-Yard Dash (4.4 seconds), the 20-Yard Shuffle (4.07 seconds), and the 60-Yard Shuffle (11.14 seconds).

Like Amari Cooper, Lockett runs polished routes and does not have a lot of holes to his game. He is very quick, has strong hands, and is smart in varying route speeds.

Lockett has had impressive production at Kansas State as he finished with over 1,200 yards receiving his junior season and over 1,500 this last year. Both seasons he recorded 11 touchdowns.

Round Four

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon

Measurables: 5-9, 192 lbs

Considered one of the top cornerbacks in college football, Olomu would have likely been the first cornerback selected in last years draft. After surprisingly announcing a return to Oregon for his senior season, he probably would have been the first cornerback selected in the 2015 NFL Draft until he tore his ACL late into the season. Because of the injury, most draft analysts have dropped him to the fourth round.

The other reason his stock may drop is because of his size. At 5-9, Olomu is best fit for a slot cornerback in the NFL. And many teams are now searching for larger cornerbacks trying to find the next Richard Sherman.

While the pick would be seen as a risk due to the knee injury, if Olomu makes a full recovery, the Raiders would getting a first round talent in the fourth.



Ifo Ekpre Olomu vs Oregon State (2013) by db_adrian

Round Five

Jamil Douglas, OG, Arizona State

Measurables: 6-4, 304 lbs

While it may be a bit late for a guard considering it is one of the Raiders biggest needs, Douglas offers good value here in the fifth round. He has the size NFL teams look for in a guard and is versatile as he played both guard and left tackle at Arizona State. Douglas was named First-Team All-PAC 12 in 2014.

He is athletic and has potential because of that, but he needs to get tougher and more physical. But because of his potential and versatility, Douglas would be a solid pick for the Raiders in the fifth round.

Round Six

Erick Dargan, FS, Oregon

Measurables: 5-11, 210 lbs

Dargan was relatively unknown before his senior season as he was used for depth and playing the nickel. He did earn Second-Team PAC-12 honors his junior season as a special teams standout.

Last year, Dargan was given his first chance to start at safety and he made the most of it leading the PAC-12 with seven interceptions. He also led the Ducks with 95 tackles.

Despite his impressive numbers last season, Dargan did not receive an invite to the 2015 NFL Combine. At Oregon's pro day, he ran a 4.74 in the 40-Yard Dash and a 7.3 in the 3 Cone Drill. His athleticism and speed are his biggest negatives and are the reason he is projected a late round pick.

Dargan has very impressive football instincts and is a playmaker. While he lacks the speed desired at the position, at the end of the day, he makes plays. At the worst, the Raiders are getting a solid addition to their special teams.

Round Seven

Ryan Delaire, DE, Towson

Measurables: 6-4, 254 lbs

Delaire is a small school player that had great production at Towson. In the last two seasons, he recorded 32 tackles for loss, 22.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles. He has the build to be both a defensive end and an outside linebacker offering versatality to the Raiders.

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