One thing Raiders could do with first pick that no one is talking about
The Las Vegas Raiders have had a very good offseason so far, but all of that could be ruined if they do the wrong thing come draft night. They have the seventh overall pick, so it will be very easy to mess everything up if they take the wrong guy. The rumors of taking a […]
The Las Vegas Raiders have had a very good offseason so far, but all of that could be ruined if they do the wrong thing come draft night. They have the seventh overall pick, so it will be very easy to mess everything up if they take the wrong guy. The rumors of taking a quarterback sure don't help either.
They need defense, and badly. Getting a quarterback couldn't do anything for them right away, in my opinion. Getting literally anyone on defense instantly makes their defense better – a unit that was at the bottom half of the league last season.
Everyone thinks that if they do go defense, they could go Devon Witherspoon or Christian Gonzales, the two best cornerbacks in this draft. And, that would be great. But no one seems to think they could possibly go defensive tackle.
I have seen multiple mock drafts that have the Raiders taking defensive back or edge with their first pick because that position is so good at the top end of the draft. But, they could go defensive tackle too.
Calijah Kancey is a guy that I'm starting to think could go in the top ten based on everything we are hearing. His stock is rising, it's just rising quietly. He has the tools to be elite, and I think the Raiders could end up taking him at pick seven, or even trading back and grabbing him.
If they do, here is what Pro Football Focus thinks of Kancey, and it's what the Raiders would be getting:
Kancey may be undersized, but he knows how to get to opposing quarterbacks. The 6-foot, 280-pound defensive tackle led all interior defenders with a 92.4 pass-rushing grade this past fall. He has the first-step quicks to still make an impact in the NFL. Kancey is a wound-up defensive tackle who does everything with urgency. His hands are just as quick as his feet, and he knows how to use both. If you’re asking him to play inside, you better allow Kancey the freedom to get upfield. He simply can’t be a hold-the-point DT. His skill set is also intriguing for some rotational reps on the edge. The size shortcomings aren’t going anywhere, but Kancey is much better at working around them when his hands aren’t in such a hurry. – Pro Football Focus
Kancey is exactly what the Raiders need. Sure, they grabbed a few defensive tackles in the draft last year, but Mathew Butler and Neil Farrell didn't get much burn last year, and when they did, they weren't very good. They are still developing and could be great depth pieces, where Kancey is ready to start right away.
I don't know if this is something they would do, but I think it is totally possible. Kancey is good and has high potential. The Raiders need help up front because Maxx Crosby can't keep doing it himself.
