The Combine and Owners Meetings are in the books, Pro Days and Free Agency are in full swing as we approach the NFL Draft (April 28-30). Here is our ninth 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: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Last Updated: March 23, 2016
Galko's Analysis: "After investing in free agency and stringing together three straight successful drafts, the Raiders don't have many needs to address other than adding depth across the roster."
Previous Selections:
Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama (03/10/16)
Andrew Billings, DT Baylor (02/09/16)
Expert: Maurice Jones-Drew | NFL Network
PICK: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Last Updated: March 21, 2016
MJD's Analysis: A big, physical corner to add with Sean Smith will allow Oakland to play Cover 3 and Cover 1. Apple fits the mold of a corner that Oakland is looking for.
Expert: Chad Reuter | NFL.com
PICK: Jack Conklin, T, Michigan State
Last Updated: March 11, 2016
Reuter's Analysis: "Adding Kelechi Osemele at guard and Conklin at tackle strengthens the group in front of quarterback Derek Carr and running back Latavius Murray."
Previous Selections:
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (03/07/16)
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 14, 2016
Jeremiah's Analysis: "After signing Kelechi Osemele, the Raiders add another physical, tough blocker in Conklin."
Previous selections:
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (02/16/16)
Robert Nkemdiche (01/17/16)
Expert: Bucky Brooks | NFL.com
PICK: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
Last Updated: March 16, 2016
Brooks' Analysis: "The Raiders could opt for a CB1 at this spot, but the opportunity to add an energetic interior rusher to a front line that features Khalil Mack, Bruce Irvin and Mario Edwards, Jr., would make the unit downright scary."
Previous Selections:
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss (03/02/16)
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 21, 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: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
Last Updated: March 23, 2016
Davis' Analysis: "The Raiders struck gold last year with a first-round WR from Alabama in Amari Cooper. They go back to the same campus for a DT that stuffs the run, and will provide good pressure inside."
Previous selection:
A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama (03/03/16)
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: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
Last Updated: March 23, 2016
Brugler's Analysis: "Oakland addressed cornerback (Sean Smith) and pass rusher (Bruce Irvin) in free agency, but is still in need of a thumping middle linebacker, which makes Ragland an ideal fit."
Previous Selections:
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (03/01/16)
Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State (03/01/16)
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (02/22/16
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama (02/15/16)
Expert: Rob Rang | CBSSports.com
PICK: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Last Updated: March 23, 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, which is among the reasons why Oakland signed Sean Smith away from the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency. With Hayden entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2016, the Raiders could already be looking for depth. Hargreaves, a three-time All-SEC choice, is a scrappy playmaker with 10 career interceptions."
Previous Selection:
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (03/14/16)
Expert: Pete Prisco | CBSSports.com
PICK: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Last Updated: March 23, 2016
Prisco's Analysis: "They added Sean Smith in free agency, but you can never have enough cover players. Alexander is smaller, but he can play good man coverage."
Previous Selection:
Ronnie Stanley, T, Notre Dame (03/13/16)
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (03/07/16)
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (03/01/16)
Expert: Will Brinson | CBSSports.com
PICK: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Last Updated: March 23, 2016
Brinson's Analysis: "Reggie McKenzie hit gold with David Amerson on waivers but hasn't gotten the production he wants from D.J. Hayden. Dipping into the market for another corner isn't a bad idea at all for a suspect secondary."
Expert: Chris Burke | SI.com
PICK: Jack Conklin, T, Michigan State
Last Updated: March 23, 2016
Burke's Analysis: "The Raiders are absolutely loaded from left tackle to right guard: Donald Penn, Gabe Jackson, Rodney Hudson and Kelechi Osemele. They have far less certainty at right tackle, where Austin Howard finished 2015 on IR with a knee injury and 2013 draft pick Menelik Watson is trying to get back from an Achilles tear. Conklin would erase all doubt, plus provide depth at guard in a pinch and give Oakland options when Penn's new contract expires after the 2017 season."
Previous Selections:
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama (03/16/16)
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (03/03/16)
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: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
Last Updated: March 21, 2016
Easterling's Analysis: "The Raiders were expected to be big spenders in free agency this year, and that's exactly what they were. General manager Reggie McKenzie made multiple big-ticket signings to address some of the team's bigger needs, but they're still looking for a leader in the middle of the defense. Alabama's Reggie Ragland was one of the driving forces behind one of the most dominant defenses in the nation last year, helping lead the Crimson Tide to yet another national title. He's not the flashiest athlete, but he's an old-school thumper who can run sideline to sideline with the nasty demeanor Raider fans want from their players."
Previous Selections:
Ezekiel Elliott, RB Ohio State (03/07/16)
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama (02/22/16)
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (02/01/16)
Expert: Chris Roling | BleacherReport.com
PICK: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Last Updated: March 23, 2016
Previous Selection:
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (03/07/16)
Expert: Cris Collinsworth | NBC Sunday Night Football
Pick: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
Last Updated: March 15, 2016, 2016
Collinsworth's Analysis: Khalil Mack is a nightmare for opponents coming off the edge, but if you add the quickness of Rankins inside to keep quarterbacks from stepping up, Mack might approach the single-season sack record. Malik Jackson would have been a dream pairing with Mack, but now that Jackson has signed with Jacksonville, Rankins makes sense. He reminds me a little of Geno Atkins; at 6-1, 299 pounds he is surprisingly quick, yet powerful for his size. There is nothing on the tape that makes me nervous, but when teams see that type of frame, they will look elsewhere for more length. I think that's a mistake the Raiders won't make. Rankins will be dynamic on stunts, has the quickness to play in a one-gap scheme, and the power and leverage to hold the point if asked to two-gap. The Raiders are gaining on the league by drafting guys like Sheldon Rankins, who can just play.
Expert: Dan Kadar | SBNation.com
PICK: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Last Updated: March 21, 2016
Kadar's Analysis: "The Raiders have a really good cornerback in veteran free agent signing Sean Smith. But beyond him, there isn't a lot of talent. Alexander has as much potential as any corner this year and could give Oakland a promising duo."
Previous selections:
Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State (03/14/16)
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (03/07/16)
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: Vernon Butler, DE/DT, Louisiana Tech
Last Updated: March 23, 2016
Cherepinksy's Analysis: "The Raiders took care of a bunch of their needs this offseason. One thing they still have to acquire is some help on the defensive line, especially in the wake of Mario Edwards' potential career-threatening neck injury. Vernon Butler has drawn comparisons to Muhammad Wilkerson, so he would be a welcome addition up front."
Previous Selections:
Jack Conklin, T, Michigan State (03/16/16)
Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State (03/09/16)
Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia (02/24/16)
