With the initial wave of free agency now in the rearview mirror, the next major event on the football calendar – if you can believe it or not – is the 2017 NFL Draft.
The three-day event in Philadelphia is now just a little over a month away, and with a plethora of players around the league having already changed teams at the start of the NFL League year, it's time for another update to our Mock Draft Tracker.
Bleacher Report
Expert | Brent Sobleski
Previous Selection:Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Breakdown:There's a lot to like about Florida State running back Dalvin Cook. There are also multiple red flags with this prospect. Where he falls in the draft will be entirely dependent on how teams reconcile his talent with those potential concern areas.
It's easy to fall in love with Cook strictly by looking at his film. Florida State's all-time leading rusher showed great balance, patience, footwork and an ability to explode past second- and third-level defenders. The issues are his ball security, lack of top-flight athleticism and multiple off-the-field concerns.
The Oakland Raiders don't have a starting running back on their roster after Latavius Murray signed with the Minnesota Vikings, though Marshawn Lynch could come out of retirement to join them, per ESPN's Adam Schefter and Josina Anderson.
"He [Lynch] really wants to play for the Raiders," a source told The MMQB's Peter King.
Lynch may not be attainable since the Seattle Seahawks still own his rights. Cook is a more-than-capable alternative.
CBS Sports
Expert | Will Brinson
Previous Selection:Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
Breakdown:There's no such thing as too many pass rushers, and there's no such thing as too many athletic freaks who are starting to emerge as viable players in multiple facets of the defensive game.
Expert | Dane Brugler
Previous Selection:Zach Cunningham, OLB, Vanderbilt
Breakdown:The Raiders could use a tough, rangy linebacker and Cunningham fits the bill with his ball awareness, play speed and length to keep himself free from blocks.
Expert | Pete Prisco
Previous Selection:Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Breakdown:Their corner play needs upgrading, so landing Humphrey makes sense.
Expert | Rob Rang
Previous Selection:Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
Breakdown:The Raiders' rise to the playoffs is directly attributable to its 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 wrap-up, Jack Del Rio stressed the need to create more of disruption on the interior, which is exactly what the 6-5, 285 pound McDowell does best.
ESPN
Expert | Mel Kiper, Jr.
Previous Selection:Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
Breakdown: D.J. Hayden was a miss at No. 12 overall in 2013, and now the Raiders will be looking for cornerback help on Day 1 or Day 2. Enter White, who has what many of the corner prospects above him don't: experience. A four-year starter for the Tigers, White (5-11, 192) could have been a Day 3 pick a year ago but made the right decision to return to school. The Raiders think they're Super Bowl contenders, but corner is a gaping hole headed into 2017.
Expert | Todd McShay
Previous Selection:Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
Breakdown:With Florida's Teez Tabor running a slow 40 at the combine and Washington's Sidney Jones suffering a leg injury at his pro day, there's suddenly plenty of room for other cornerbacks to move up the board. King and Ohio State's Gareon Conley are two fast risers. King's tape is good, and his workout numbers are even better. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, King ran a 4.43 40 and posted a 39.5-inch vertical jump.
FOX Sports
Expert | Dieter Kurtenbach
Previous Selection:Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
Breakdown:The Raiders need help at linebacker and safety. Peppers plays both spots, and his unparalleled athleticism will have the Raiders jumping over the Inner Harbor with this selection.
MMQB
Expert | Emily Kaplan
Previous Selection:Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
Breakdown:The Temple product was the talk of the Senior Bowl and followed that up with a dominant combine. In Mobile, Reddick switched seamlessly from outside linebacker to inside linebacker in drills.
NFL.com
Expert | Bucky Brooks
Previous Selection:Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
Breakdown:The Raiders need a corner but could opt to take a big, physical tackle to groom for a bigger role down the line.
Expert | Charley Casserly
Previous Selection:Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
Breakdown:Conley is a fine press corner who has the potential to play off in man-to-man coverage.
Expert | Daniel Jeremiah
Previous Selection:Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
Breakdown:This isn't a big need for the Raiders but Ross could take this passing game to a new level with his big-play ability.
Expert | Chad Reuter
Previous Selection:Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida
Breakdown: Jack Del Rio gets his quick and strong pass rusher inside.
Pro Football Focus
Expert | Steve Palazzolo
Previous Selection: Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
Breakdown: Oakland has added key pieces to the defense on a yearly basis, and Cunningham can provide a playmaking presence in the middle. He has the athleticism to play zone coverage or cover tight ends, and he has no problem getting dirty in the running game, where his 56 solo run stops led all Power-5 linebackers. The issue for Cunningham is his tackling, where he's missed 34 attempts over the last two years; if he can cut those down, he's an excellent three-down linebacker prospect.
The Ringer
Expert | Danny Kelly
Previous Selection:N/A
Breakdown:With Malcolm Smith and Daren Bates gone in free agency and Perry Riley out of contract, Oakland needs an infusion of talent at the linebacker position. Davis is an explosive run-and-chase hitter who lays the wood in the run game and is athletic enough to cover tight ends and running backs in the passing game. He adds physicality and range to Oakland's defense.
SB Nation
Expert | Dan Kadar
Previous Selection:Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
Breakdown:The Raiders would probably prefer if Foster fell into their laps, but Cunningham isn't a bad consolation prize.
Sporting News
Expert | Eric Galko
Previous Selection:Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Breakdown:There's a real chance Dalvin Cook falls out of round one, with his character, athletic test and previous injury concerns. But the Raiders need a feature running back, and they have interest in Cook. He could be Ezekiel Elliott 2.0 in Oakland.
WalterFootball.com
Expert | Charlie Campbell
Previous Selection:Marcel Frazier, DE, Missouri
Breakdown:Oakland's defense improved as the season progressed, but there was always a big void in the middle of the defensive line. I imagine the Raiders will want to spend a high selection on a prospect who can generate some pressure in the interior, and Caleb Brantley is one of the top prospects available.
