The one team that didn't make the playoffs from the AFC West last season, your Oakland Raiders, have made major splashes in the free agent market thus far this offseason. General manager Reggie McKenzie now turns his focus to the NFL draft as the primary building block for a team that seems to be continually rebuilding.
Who will Oakland target in the first round? What are its major needs entering the draft? Will McKenzie look to grab that special skill position player or is he content with adding a key piece to the defense? We will be getting answers sooner rather than later.
Here is eDraft's final preview of the Oakland Raiders 2014 NFL draft.
Major Needs
Quarterback: As if right now Matt Schaub, Matt McGloin and Trent Edwards are the only quarterbacks on Oakland's roster. Schaub, who was acquired from the Houston Texans earlier in the offseason, figures to be the starter heading into the season. Despite being just one year removed from a Pro Bowl campaign, it's readily apparent that Schaub is on the down swing of his career. The only thing he really adds to the Raiders roster is veteran experience with previous NFL success.
McGlon, on the other hand, is an interesting long-term prospect. He came out of absolutely nowhere as an undrafted free agent last season to start six games, throwing eight touchdowns compared to eight interceptions and completing 56 percent of his passes. Even as a wild-card option, McGloin's inability to show anything prior to the 2013 NFL draft has to be a concern.
Wide Receiver: Denarius Moore and Rod Streater are more than capable starting receivers in the NFL. They combined for over 1,500 yards and nine scores last season. The addition of James Jones also helps this group a great deal. He led the NFL in touchdowns two years ago and put up over 800 receiving yards for the Green Bay Packers last year. The issue here is that the Raiders simply don't have a go-to No. 1 receiver on the roster, something that could be remedied early in the draft.
Pass Rusher: Adding LaMarr Woodley and Justin Tuck surely do help in this category on a short-term basis. That being said, they're nowhere near long-term options. Even with them on the roster, especially at their advanced ages, we simply do not know what to expect from them. As it relates to returning players, Nick Roach led the team in sacks last year with 5.5. Overall, the Raiders tallied 38 on the season.
Defensive Tackle: With Antonio Smith and Pat Sims slated to start in 2014 and nothing really behind them on the depth chart, it's rather obvious the Raiders needs to add a youngster or two in the draft this year. Sims played well in 16 starts last year and, at just 28, figures in Oakland's long-term plans. On the other hand, Smith is nothing more than a stopgap option.
Cornerback: The additions of Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers are going to help short term with Brown actually looking like a decent longer-term option. Outside of that, 2013 first-round pick D.J. Hayden struggled a great deal with injury and consistency last year. While the Raiders have him pegged as a starter-caliber corner moving forward, they will need someone to line up opposite of him. Their pass defense yielded 300-plus yards seven times in 2013.
Day One Targets
Derek Carr: Carr has been rumored as a possibility for the Raiders, who seem to believe that he's the best option if they were to go quarterback at five. The issue here is that general manager Reggie McKenzie might not be sold on any quarterback as the "franchise" guy. If that's the case, they need to pass up on this position in the top of the first round. If not, go out there and get your guy.
Johnny Manziel: Speaking of getting your guy, there is a decent chance that Manziel will be off the board by the time Oakland's on the clock a week from tomorrow. If not, Mckenzie and Co. will think long and hard about bringing this dynamic quarterback into the fold. After all, the Raiders don't currently have a long-term solution at the quarterback position. Boom or bust, Manziel brings excitement to an organization that has been without it for some time now.
Khalil Mack: Without a single hole in his game, Mack would instantly become the face of a Raiders defense that is currently missing that star player. He has Aldon Smith type upside in year one and can expand on that to be an All-Pro performer each and every season he is in the NFL. In fact, Mack might be a better fit for the Raiders than my No. 1 overall player, Jadeveon Clowney. Upside without a low floor. That's an ideal pick at five.
Sammy Watkins: Speaking of upside, Watkins is the best wide receiver prospect to enter the NFL since Julio Jones and A.J. Green a few years back. Without a hole in his game, this Clemson product has top-five wide receiver upside. He'd allow Denarius Moore, James Jones and Rod Streater to be pushed down a notch on the depth chart. In this, the Raiders would instantly have a top-10 receiving group in the NFL.
Taylor Lewan: This is based more off of what we are hearing leading up to the draft, which could be nothing more than a smokescreen. I don't have anywhere near a top-five grade on Lewan and would perceive this as a tremendous reach, especially with Austin Howard and Donald Penn on board. The Raiders need an immediate-impact performer here. Lewan is not that.
Day Two Targets
Timmy Jernigan: If Jernigan were to fall out of day one, there would be a ton of interest in him at the top of the second round. A dominating interior force, who boasts a solid ability to collapse the pocket, this Florida State product would be an immediate starter next to Sims in 2014.
Dominique Easley: If it wasn't for serious knee injury concerns, Easley would be the top interior defensive lineman off the board, most likely in the top 10. As dominating of an all-around force as you will see, this Florida product has everything you look for in a Pro Bowl performer. Though, the injury concerns make this a risk at the top of the second round.
Bradley Roby: Roby's recent run in with the law may cause him to drop out of the first day. If that's the case, some team is going to get an absolute steal in the second round. Roby might have had a down season in 2013, but all the indicators for success are there. He could come in and take over a slot role immediately.
Pierre Desir. One of my favorite defensive players in the entire draft, Desir's just starting to get recognized by the mainstream media. It's about time. He's a physical, in your face cornerback, pretty much in the mold of what we are seeing the NFL trend towards right now. Despite concerns about level of competition, Desir is already a pro-ready corner. The issue here is that he might hear his name called towards the back end of the first round.
Kelvin Benjamin: Benjamin is the type of receiver I see the Raiders drafting. If they pass up on Watkins or Mike Evans in the first round, this Florida State product would provide some nice value in the second round. Despite some issues with drops, his 6'5" and 240-pound frame is downright scary for opposing defensive backs.
Third-Day Targets
Aaron Murray: Some might indicate that this would be a wasted pick, much like the Tyler Wilson selection last season. While that may very well be true, I have a much higher grade on Murray than I did on Wilson. He'd be a project backup out of the gate with starter potential down the road. You can't teach that arm, guys/gals.
Logan Thomas: Speaking of an arm, Thomas has a cannon for one. It might be a loose cannon, but it sure the hell is a cannon nonetheless. With a ceiling as a top-15 quarterback and a floor that might see him out of the league or playing another position in two years, Thomas isn't worth much more than a fifth-round pick at this point.
Bruce Ellington: I am firmly under the belief that if Oakland is going to go wide receiver, it needs to target a No. 1 type guy. Ellington, despite inconsistenciy in route running and with his hands, can provide that type of upside. He's a bit raw and will take some seasoning. In any event, this would be a high reward, low-risk move.
Deandre Coleman: I am not too enrirely sure what is going on with Coleman's draft stock. He's a legit presence along the interior of the defensive line and would be a solid starter as a 3-tech.
Final Seven-Round Mock
1. Sammy Watkins, Wide Receiver, Clemson
2. Dominique Easley, Defensive Tackle, Florida
3. Aaron Murray, Quarterback, Georgia
4. Will Clarke, Defensive End, West Virginia
7. Bene Benwikere, Cornerback, San Jose State
7. Ryan Groy, Offensive Line, Wisconsin
7. Glenn Carson, Linebacker, Penn State