Of course, we also know that a lot more goes into the success and failure of players than just their ability to play the game. How a player is used, his health, how he responds to the NFL lifestyle, how he fits in the locker room and if he’s willing to work hard are all part of the equation. The player and the team need to be a good match.
Every year there are good prospects. Some of them will turn into stars and others will be busts. A lot of players will go on to have long careers, but never really achieve greatness. A can’t-miss prospect is an oxymoron to some degree, but there are some who are more likely to achieve greatness if drafted by the Raiders.
Interior Defensive Linemen
The Raiders have several open defensive line positions. Until the Raiders have a chance to address the position in free agency, there will be a need for a quality defensive tackle on the roster. The question will be which defensive tackle fits what the Raiders want to do on defense.
It’s a deep draft at defensive tackle, which may be the only reason the Raiders go in another direction. If they do go with a defensive tackle in the first round, there are two guys who should make an immediate impact.
Star Lotulelei
Provided Lotulelei’s heart condition ends up being something minor, he would replace Richard Seymour as the dominant interior defensive tackle. When paired with Desmond Bryant, Lotulelei will collapse the pocket and blow up runs in the backfield.
