Oakland Raideres
1st Round, Pick #12: DJ Hayden CB Houston
I'm a DJ Hayden fan, but the fact that the Raiders passed up Star Lotulelei here was shocking to me. Getting a talented cornerback like Hayden is great, but he's not going to do you any good if the defensive line is terrible and isn't stopping the run or creating pressure. Lotulelei would have been a great pick at #3, let alone #12. If I'm building a team it starts in the trenches, but then we're talking about the Oakland Raider here.
Pick Grade: D
2nd Round, Pick #42: Menelik Watson OT Florida State
One of the biggest benefits of them trading down from #3 to #12 is that they were able to get back a second round pick that they had previously lost in the Carson Palmer trade. Here the Raiders get an offensive tackle who is talented but raw. Watson has only played two years of football in his life, but he has the size and athletic ability that is needed. With Jared Veldheer and Khalif Barnes set at each tackle spots they don't have to rush Watson into the starting lineup and develop him into an eventual starter.
Pick Grade: B
3rd Round, Pick #66: Sio Moore LB UConn
A value pick here. A strongside linebacker isn't a huge need because they just signed Nick Roach, but GM Reggie McKenzie is all about upgrading the talent level and Moore fits right in. Moore is a good athlete and can run and tackle very well. Add in that Sio is a good blitzer and that should be able find a role early on. Head Coach Dennis Allen could use him similarly to what he did in Denver with Von Miller rushing from the LB position.
Pick Grade: A
4th Round, Pick #112: Tyler Wilson QB Arkansas
The quarterback position is up in the air for the Raiders. Carson Palmer is gone and Matt Flynn was brought in via a trade. Flynn should get the nod, but Wilson will have a shot to compete. Going into this season Wilson was thought to be a possible 1st round QB and some even thought he was the top QB in the draft. But a coaching change really threw him off and he became very inconsistent. But Wilson is still a very accurate passer and can make every throw. He could be a sleeper and could become the Raiders starter in the next few years if Flynn can't get the job done.
Pick Grade: A
6th Round, Pick #172: Nick Kasa TE Colorado
It's safe to say that the tight end position has been void of any talent since Zach Miller left in free agency a couple of years ago. Nick Kasa isn't going be a dynamic threat, but he does give the Raiders a good blocker who can help their run game and give them the ability to run more two tight end sets. Kasa may not be a sexy pick, but he gives them a solid player with some flexibility.
Pick Grade: B+
6th Round, Pick #181: Latavius Murray RB Central Florida
Oakland had a good tandem of Darren McFadden and Michael Bush. However Bush is gone and Oakland wants back that tough physical runner that he use to provide. However Murray isn't overally talented and the Raiders would have been better off going with somebody like Andre Ellington, Rex Burkhead, or Onterio McCalebb who are all better backs.
Pick Grade: D-
6th Round, Pick #184: Mychal Rivera TE Tennessee
After taking a blocking tight end in Nick Kasa twelve picks earlier, the Raiders go with a good complement in Rivera. Unlike Kasa, Rivera is a threat in the passing game and will be moved around the field to take advantage of mismatches or to give a different look. The problem is that Rivera isn't going to give you anything in the run game and isn't an great athlete. They better hope Rivera is a gem because relying on two 6th round picks to rejuvenate the tight end position is risky.
Pick Grade: B
6th Round, Pick #205: Stacy McGee DT Oklahoma
When waiting till the sixth round to fill their biggest need isn't going to solve their problems. Especially when they could have gotten Star Lotulelei at twelve. McGee is going to give them a big body who is going to take on blockers. But don't look for him to apply any pressure.
Pick Grade: C
7th Round, Pick #209: Brice Butler WR San Diego State
Here is your typical seventh round pick. Brice Butler may not have had a ton of production at San Diego State but he has the height/weight/speed that sparks interest in general managers and scouts. Butler isn't a polished route runner but he does have the speed to stretch the field and could provide them with a deep threat at a minimum. But GM Reggie McKenzie comes from the Packers who have a ton of success with late round receivers, so Butler does have that going for him.
Pick Grade: C
7th Round, Pick #233: David Bass DE Missouri Western
Bass could have been a higher round pick, but he struggled at the Shrine Game bringing up concerns whether he was just cleaned up on inferior competition. However his tape was just too good to not take a risk on and using a seventh round pick isn't going to hurt them too much if he doesn't pan out.
Pick Grade: C+
Overall Grade: C
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