ESPN analyst shares insight on Raiders draft strategy
The Las Vegas Raiders have an important decision to make in a few weeks that will have a huge impact on their future. With the number seven pick, will they go quarterback, or will they go defense, like most want them to do? They have so many different options because they have so many different […]
The Las Vegas Raiders have an important decision to make in a few weeks that will have a huge impact on their future. With the number seven pick, will they go quarterback, or will they go defense, like most want them to do?
They have so many different options because they have so many different needs on their roster this year. Their biggest need is defense, as they could use a guy at every position on that side of the ball.
They need secondary the most, and an interior defender wouldn't hurt either. Shoot, they need a linebacker as well. But, we still have no idea what they will do because of the "best available player" comments we have heard from both Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler. The best available player could be a quarterback for all we know.
What we do know, is what one ESPN analyst let us in on in a recent ESPN article.
The Raiders have hosted several players on top-30 visits recently, including all of the top quarterback prospects. While a signal-caller is possible at No. 7 — if one of the top guys is even still on the board — I've been told not to rule out a cornerback there by someone with knowledge of the team's strategy. Paul and I are hearing the same thing. Las Vegas has checked in on Devon Witherspoon (Illinois), Christian Gonzalez (Oregon), and Joey Porter Jr. (Penn State), the top three corners in this class. The Raiders should have a chance to take the first defensive back off the board. Another source told me, "They could go so many directions — quarterback, cornerback. I could even see offensive tackle if they traded back some." — Reid, ESPN
The comment about not ruling out a cornerback is music to my ears, and it should be yours too. The Raiders need da cornerback more than anything else. They need that and a guy who can play either safety position. This draft is insanely deep at cornerback, which is good news for the Raiders because they don't need just one cornerback.
I know Raiders fans will hate to hear this, but if they can have a draft like the Kansas City Chiefs did last year, that would be perfect. They drafted several cornerbacks, one on day one in Trent McDuffie and several on day three that ended up starting and making plays in the postseason.
That's what the Raiders need. The names they listed aren't bad, in fact, those guys are the best cornerbacks in the draft. But, they could end up trading back and still get good cornerback options on the table too. There is just no telling what they will do, and they have so much to choose from.
