It's never too early to start talking about the NFL Draft (April 28-30). Here is our seventh round-up of selected expert opinions on who they think the Raiders will select with the 14th overall selection in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft in Chicago. We will update with new predictions and additional analysts in the weeks leading up to the Draft. Check out last week's.
Expert: Eric Galko | Sporting News/OptimumScouting.com
PICK: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
Last Updated: March 1, 2016
Galko's Analysis: "With Khalil Mack leading a talented linebacking corps and the offense in great position, the Raiders need to address their defensive line and secondary early and often in the 2016 draft. While cornerback Eli Apple's upside is intriguing, one of the more impressive 320-athletes in recent draft history in Reed may offer a more unique opportunity for GM Reggie McKenzie. Adding Reed solves his defensive line issues, and he load up in the secondary throughout the rest of the draft."
Previous Selection: Andrew Billings, DT Baylor (02/09/16)
Expert: Chad Reuter | NFL.com
PICK: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Last Updated: March 7, 2016
Reuter's Analysis: "Hargreaves' average height might be an issue for some teams, but the Raiders know he's a playmaker, pure and simple."
Previous Selection:
Ronnie Stanley, T, Notre Dame (02/17/16)
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (01/29/16)
Expert: Daniel Jeremiah | NFL.com
PICK: Jack Conklin, T, Michigan State
Last Updated: March 1, 2016
Jeremiah's Analysis: "Conklin proved has the skill set and demeanor to excel at multiple positions on the OL."
Previous selections:
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (02/16/16)
Robert Nkemdiche (01/17/16)
Expert: Bucky Brooks | NFL.com
PICK: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
Last Updated: March 2, 2016
Brooks' Analysis: "The ultra-athletic defensive tackle is a bit of a risk based on his character issues and underwhelming production, but there's no disputing his talent or potential as a "shop wrecker" on the interior."
Previous Selection:
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (02/22/16)
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss (01/17/2016)
Expert: Lance Zierlein | NFL.com
PICK: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Last Updated: March 4, 2016
Zierlein's Analysis: "Mackensie Alexander doesn't have the size or athleticism of Apple, and the Raiders' need at the position pairs nicely with Apple's bang-up combine."
Previous Selection:
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (02/18/16)
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (01/22/2016)
Expert: Charles Davis | NFL.com
PICK: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Last Updated: March 3, 2016
Davis' Analysis: "Last year's first-round selection from Alabama (Amari Cooper) worked out quite nicely for Oakland. Robinson's presence inside only helps LB Khalil Mack get that much better. A CB will be in play here, too."
Previous selection: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (02/22/16)
Expert: Todd McShay | ESPN.com
PICK:Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Last Updated: March 7, 2016
McShay's Analysis: "A true 6-foot-1 and 199 pounds, Apple has the size NFL teams covet in their corners. He played a lot of press-man coverage at Ohio State and has the speed (4.40 40-yard dash at the combine) to turn and run with faster wideouts. Apple still needs to refine his ball skills, but there's a lot to like about his raw skill set."
Previous selection: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss (02/03/15)
Expert: Mel Kiper, Jr. | ESPN.com
PICK: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Last Updated: March 8, 2016
Kiper's Analysis: "A high-upside cornerback with size, Apple might deal with some growing pains, but he's an impressive combination of size, athleticism and natural gifts for the position.
Free-agency effect: The Raiders can throw their money around this offseason, but they need major work in the secondary, so they'll need to draft help here regardless."
Previous Selection: Jack Conklin, T, Michigan State (01/14/2016)
Expert: Dane Brugler | CBSSports.com/NFLDraftScout.com
PICK: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
Last Updated: March 1, 2016
Brugler's Analysis: "Running back isn't the No. 1 need for the Raiders this off-season, but at some point Elliott will be too good to pass up for a team in the top 15 picks. The trio of Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Elliott would give Oakland a strong argument for the best young quarterback, receiver and running back combination in the league."
Previous Selections:
Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State (03/01/16)
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (02/22/16
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama (02/15/16)
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Expert: Rob Rang | CBSSports.com
PICK: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Last Updated: March 6, 2016
Rang's Analysis: "Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie deserves a lot of credit for drafting Khalil Mack, Amari Cooper and Derek Carr over the past two years, but his initial first-round pick - cornerback D.J. Hayden - hasn't fared as well. Alexander is just a redshirt sophomore but scouts are enamored with his talent and upside."
Expert: Pete Prisco | CBSSports.com
PICK: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Last Updated: March 7, 2016
Prisco's Analysis: "They have to get better in man coverage and Hargreaves excels at that. He is a little shorter than some of the corners in this draft, but that doesn't mean he can't play."
Previous selection: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (03/01/16)
Expert: Chris Burke | SI.com
PICK: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Last Updated: March 3, 2016
Burke's Analysis: "The Raiders have a bunch of young corners, including 2013 first-rounder D.J. Hayden and 24-year-old reclamation project David Amerson. Alexander could take over as the top dog in short order, once he adjusts his aggressive game to the NFL's stricter rule book. His swagger certainly would play well with the Raiders' faithful."
Expert: Steve Palazzolo | ProFootballFocus.com
PICK: Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
Last Updated: March 2, 2016
Palazzolo's Analysis: "Another PFF favorite, Jones may have as much upside as any player in the draft. His 54.2 overall grade ranked fourth among interior defensive linemen last season, including a 36.5 pass rush grade that ranked second. He's extremely strong at the point of attack, prompting our analysts to bring up New York Jets DE Leonard Williams as a comparable player. Throw in Jones' 1.70 10-yard split at 310 pounds, and the burst and strength give him a rare combination that could make him one of the better players to come out of the draft."
Previous selections:
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss (02/02/16)
Myles Jack, LB, UCLA (01/21/16)
Expert: Luke Easterling | BleacherReport.com
PICK: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
Last Updated: March 7, 2016
Easterling's Analysis: "The Oakland Raiders have their franchise quarterback in Derek Carr, an explosive playmaker at receiver in Amari Cooper and a dynamic pass-rusher in Khalil Mack, all of whom are 25 or younger. Why not add a powerful, explosive running back who can impact the game on all three downs? Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott is easily the best running back in this year's class, and while spending a top-15 pick at that position might not seem like the best value, Elliott's skill set is well worth the selection. In a draft short on difference-makers on offense, Elliott will be a highly sought-after commodity, and the Raiders would be wise to add him to an already-promising young roster."
Previous Selection:
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama (02/22/16)
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (02/01/16)
Expert: Chris Roling | BleacherReport.com
PICK: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Last Updated: March 7, 2016
Expert: Steve Silverman | BleacherReport.com
Pick: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
Last Updated: Feb. 27, 2016
Previous Selection: Taylor Decker, T, Ohio State (02/14/2016)
Expert: Dan Kadar | SBNation.com
PICK: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Last Updated: March 7, 2016
Kadar's Analysis: "Last week's pick of running back Ezekiel Elliott was frowned upon by some. If he's not the choice, cornerback would be the smart play. Hargreaves may not have the best size for an outside cornerback, but he's a natural capable of matching up against bigger possession receivers and smaller quick receivers. Don't get fooled by his ordinary combine numbers."
Previous selections:
Ezekiel Elliott, RB Ohio State (02/29/16)
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (02/22/16
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama (02/01/16)
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (01/25/16)
Taylor Decker, T, Ohio State (1/18/16)
Expert: Walter Cherepinsky | walterfootball.com
PICK: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
Last Updated: March 9, 2016
Cherepinksy's Analysis: "The Raiders were getting decent play out of Aldon Smith, but he's been suspended for an entire season. Trusting him for the long term is probably not a good idea, and they also need a replacement for Justin Tuck, so grabbing an edge rusher at No. 14 is probably a smart move."
Previous Selection: Leonard Floyd (02/24/16)
