It's the middle of the offseason which means that that mock draft season is in full swing.
From ESPN to Bleacher Report and everywhere in between, pundits around the league are feverishly putting together their predictions for how the 2017 NFL Draft will shake out.
The Oakland Raiders are slated to select No. 24 overall, so now that we're just a few months out from Draft Weekend in Philadelphia, let's see who the experts think the Raiders will pick in the first round.
Bleacher Report
CBS Sports
Expert | Dane Brugler
Breakdown:The Raiders have invested several high picks in the front seven and should again if Oakland has a chance to draft an impact middle linebacker. Cunningham's Vandy tape is a clinic for how to play the position.
Expert | Rob Rang
Breakdown:The Raiders' rise to the playoffs is directly attributable to their explosive offense, but if the club is to take the next step -- and remain a consistent postseason threat -- help must be on the way for a defense that surrendered an average of 375 yards per game, 26th in the NFL. In his postseason wrapup, Jack Del Rio stressed the need to create more disruption on the interior, which is exactly what the -5, 285-pound McDowell does best.
ESPN
Expert | Mel Kiper Jr.
Breakdown: How can a team with Khalil Mack rank last in the league in sacks? That happened this season -- he had 11 and the rest of the defense had 14. McDowell had only 7.5 sacks in his career, but the talent is there to produce much more in the NFL. He's a tremendous athlete with a 6-6, 290-pound frame who is still raw. One position to keep an eye on: running back. Latavius Murray is a free agent, and this class is loaded.
FOX Sports
Expert | Dieter Kurtenbach
Breakdown:The Raiders are close, but they need to upgrade across the defense in a serious way if they want to be a perennial playoff contender. Jones is a better fit for Oakland than some other available cornerbacks — his reputation preceded him in the Pac 12 and no one even challenged him.
MMQB
Expert | Emily Kaplan
Breakdown:He's a tall, physical corner with the size most NFL teams covet these days. David Amerson and Sean Smith have been inconsistent this season. Reggie McKenzie, it's time to give your secondary and upgrade.
NFL.com
Expert | Bucky Brooks
Breakdown:The Raiders can't continue to ignore their pressing need on the island. The ultra-explosive playmaker isn't a polished defender, but he has a knack for delivering splash plays as a CB/KR on the perimeter.
Expert |Daniel Jeremiah
Breakdown:The Raiders are set on the offensive side of the ball but they could use some more playmakers in the secondary. Tabor gives up some plays but he also gets his hands on a lot of footballs.
Expert | Chad Reuter
Breakdown:Jack Del Rio wants an interior pass rusher. McDowell's length and quickness off the snap give him a chance to shine in that role.
Expert | Lance Zierlein
Breakdown:Brantley isn't the biggest or longest interior rusher out there, but he brings outstanding strength to the point of attack and has the potential to become a disruptive pass rusher in the future.
Pro Football Focus
Expert | Steve Palazzolo
Breakdown:The Raiders have added some talent to the defensive side in recent years but they still have issues up the middle. McDowell can play multiple positions on the interior while dabbling outside as an edge rusher as he did at times last season at Michigan State. He's progressed nicely every year of college, with perhaps even more room to grow as he improves his technique, so he's a worthwhile pick for the Raiders after posting the No. 12 pass-rush grade among interior defensive lineman (85.7).
SB Nation
Expert | Dan Kadar
Breakdown:Davis may not have blown the doors off the Senior Bowl last week, but he didn't do anything to hurt his draft value either. The choices for Oakland were down to Davis or one of the defensive tackles on the board. Davis was the pick because after him the talent at middle linebacker drops considerably while there will be some good interior defenders later in the draft.
Sports Illustrated
Expert | Chris Burke
Breakdown:Admittedly, I am higher on King than (at least at present) it seems that the NFL would be. As a cornerback, though, he has the understanding of his position and the physical wherewithal to be a top-two player on the depth chart. And if he winds up shifting to safety, as has been the recent rumor, he might be an even better fit for Oakland.
Sporting News
Expert | Eric Galko
Breakdown:Cook might be the best running back in the class, but his previous shoulder injuries could keep him out of the top 20 picks. That said, the Raiders haven't been shy about players with injury concerns, and Cook could have an Ezekiel Elliott-like breakout year (injuries aside) behind the Raiders' offensive line.
Walter Football.com
Expert | Charlie Campbell
Breakdown:The Raiders could use some upgrades at cornerback. Oakland had coverage issues all season.
Tabor totaled 33 tackles with four interceptions and six passes broken up in 2016. Because of getting in a fight with a teammate, Tabor was suspended for the 2016 opener, but he covered really well after that and was a ballhawk. Tabor turned in a mixed game against Tennessee as he had an impressive interception, but also fell down in coverage to allow a 67-yard touchdown.
As a sophomore, Tabor recorded 40 tackles, 14 passes broken up and four interceptions, two of them being pick-sixes. Tabor did hurt his draft stock with a suspension during his sophomore season as well. Tabor (6-0, 191) had an excellent freshman season in 2014 totaling 31 tackles with an interception and eight passes broken up that year.
Some team sources say that Tabor has been overrated by the media, but he still could end up being a first-round pick. His best role might be as a big nickel corner in the NFL. Tabor is lacking long speed and gives up plays downfield. He is great underneath with very good feel and awareness, though he is a gambler and guesses a ton. Tabor is good when plays are in front of him, but gets in trouble with plays behind or over him. Multiple team sources like other first-round corner prospects more than Tabor.
