One. More. Week
The Scouting Combine is long gone, pro days are in the rearview mirror, and now, finally, we're in the final days before the 2017 NFL Draft.
As such, the NFL world is abuzz with mock drafts aplenty, so let's take a look at this week's Mock Draft Tracker, and see what the experts think the Oakland Raiders will do at No. 24 overall.
Bleacher Report
Expert | Brad Gagnon
Previous Selection:N/A
Breakdown:The Oakland Raiders have two premier outside rushers in Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin, but the rest of their front seven is a tad soft. They're also down two linebackers—Malcolm Smith, who left in free agency; and Perry Riley, who remains unsigned—who played a combined 1,558 snaps last season, according to PFF.
They need a rangy tackle machine who can help a top-heavy defense that allowed five 100-yard rushers and 4.5 yards per carry in 2016.
They need Cunningham, a two-time first-team All-SEC linebacker who had 36 tackles for loss during his three seasons at Vanderbilt. Cunningham needs to work on his tackling and won't overpower opponents, but he's a three-down linebacker with sideline-to-sideline range who has plenty of room to get better. And he can also contribute in coverage, which is the kind of versatility general manager Reggie McKenzie desires.
The Raiders would probably be cool with a linebacker like Temple's Haason Reddick or a cornerback like Tre'Davious White, Kevin King, Jackson or Tabor in this spot, but Cunningham makes the most sense.
CBS Sports
Expert | Will Brinson
Previous Selection:David Njoku, TE, Miami (Fla.)
Breakdown:Oakland has a ton of talent on both sides of the ball, but one place it could use help is at linebacker. Davis could fit outside or inside in a 4-3 scheme, so he gives the Raiders flexibility depending on how else their starters at the position shake out.
Expert | Dane Brugler
Previous Selection:Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Breakdown:The Raiders are missing an athletic and powerful thumper in the middle of the defense, something that Davis would answer.
Expert | Pete Prisco
Previous Selection:Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Breakdown:They need to get another corner to go with Sean Smith. King is a player scouts love because of his length.
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:Kevin King, CB, Washington
Breakdown:The Raiders' defense is only a couple pieces away from being Super Bowl-caliber, and there's no doubt that they will be scouring the cornerbacks in this class. White, a four-year starter, could play outside or in the slot, and he could also help in the return game. Watkins is an explosive pass-rusher in a big frame (6-foot-3, 309 pounds). If he had been more consistent on every down, he might be a first-round pick. Oakland just cut veteran nose tackle Dan Williams, so there's an opening. The Raiders are still chasing Marshawn Lynch, but for now, I'll give them a runner in the mold of Lynch. At 6-0, 233 pounds, Foreman ran for more than 2,000 yards last season, but a stress fracture in his foot kept him out of combine workouts. He did have an impressive pro day, however, with a 4.45 40.
Expert | Todd McShay
Previous Selection:Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
Breakdown:Running back is a glaring hole on an otherwise stacked Raiders offense. Cook comes with durability and character concerns, but he's electric in the open field and has shown the ability to create yards on his own. [Teez] Tabor has a knack for finding the ball, with 28 pass breakups and nine interceptions in three seasons. He falls to the second round after showing lackluster explosiveness (31-inch vertical) and long speed (4.62 40) at the combine. [Montravius] Adams has the natural ability to be a difference-maker on Sundays, but he did not show consistent effort on tape, particularly in 2015. Adams would be worth the risk in Round 3; he's gifted enough to warrant second-round consideration.
FOX Sports
Expert | Dieter Kurtenbach
Previous Selection:Jabrill Peppers, S, Michigan
Breakdown: There aren't many offenses in the NFL that don't ask their running backs to be pass catchers. The Raiders are one of those teams. Who's ready for Beast Mode 2.0?
MMQB
Expert | Emily Kaplan
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:Cam Robinson, OT, Alabama
Breakdown:Reddick is an active linebacker with a non-stop motor and a versatile game.
Expert | Charley Casserly
Previous Selection:Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
Breakdown:Cunningham is an instinctive, athletic linebacker who can play all three downs.
Expert | Daniel Jeremiah
Previous Selection:John Ross, WR, Washington
Breakdown:Davis is one of the cleaner players in the draft. He has an ideal blend of size, speed, and instincts.
Expert | Lance Zierlein
Previous Selection:Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Breakdown:Davis is a physical hitter and a very good athlete. Al Davis would approve of this one.
Pro Football Focus
Expert | Cris Collinsworth
Previous Selection:N/A
Breakdown: With so many quality players left on the board, the Raiders can't miss. Marshawn Lynch is in many ways the key to this pick. If he signs (it's not yet official), the Raiders may pass on a first-round back, but they could also draft a complementary player here like Cook from FSU. The most elusive back in college football has the speed to break open games as a runner and receiver. He is smaller and doesn't block well, but at the very least, you will get a playmaker on third down. I worry a little about his shoulders and don't love him running inside, but at No. 24 in the first round, Cook is too good to pass up.
Expert | Steve Palazzolo
Previous Selection:Zach Cunningham, OLB, Vanderbilt
Breakdown:Perhaps a surprising drop for Fournette, but given the questions about his ability to affect the game on passing downs, this may be a better representation of his value. He goes to a perfect situation in Oakland where he fits into their downhill run game behind one of the league's best offensive lines, and if he can regain his 2015 form when he led the nation with 83 forced missed tackles, this becomes one of the steals of the draft.
The Ringer
Expert | Danny Kelly
Previous Selection:Kevin King, CB, Washington
Breakdown:The Raiders may end up coaxing Marshawn Lynch out of retirement, but their interest in the former Seahawk illustrates a clear desire to add a physical identity to their running attack. Even if Lynch unretires and joins the team as a short-term bonus, drafting Fournette here gives Oakland a long-term solution. Running behind the Raiders' fearsome offensive line, Fournette would batter defenses, wear down opponents, and, with breakaway speed, he'd make second-level defenders pay if they take a bad angle. Fournette also takes pressure off of Derek Carr to carry the offense, giving the Raiders something their high-flying offense lacked in 2016: the ability to grind out games on the ground and protect leads in the fourth quarter.
SB Nation
Expert | Dan Kadar
Previous Selection:Jarrad Davis, MLB, Florida
Breakdown:Having a top-level third cornerback is more important than ever, and Conley would give the Raiders another good cover guy.
Sporting News
Expert | Eric Galko
Previous Selection:Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
Breakdown:Dalvin Cook fits the Raiders' offense and would thrive behind their offensive line, but we've been told they will not take Cook if he's available. Instead, expect the Raiders to add to their defense again. Barnett should be in the mix for most teams picking in the 20s.
WalterFootball.com
Expert | Charlie Campbell
Previous Selection:Jarrad Davis, ILB, Florida
Breakdown:The Raiders are expected to address their defense with this pick. I've had them fixing their front seven for countless updates, but they could also select a cornerback.
Kevin King, like Chidobe Awuzie, is another name that might be surprising in the first round. As with Awuzie, King's stock has soared, and it now seems like he'll be taken in the first round. There have been some rumors linking the Raiders to King, so that's what I'm going with at the moment.
