General manager Reggie McKenzie and head coach Jack Del Rio revealed a collaborative approach in selecting this year’s incoming rookie class in a predraft press conference, per the team’s official website. The Raiders’ decision-makers have eight picks to fully assemble a playoff contender for the upcoming season.
During the press conference, McKenzie mentioned taking the best player available but opted not to go into specifics about differences in opinions in the war room.
Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller talked to a source inside the organization who dropped a polarizing name as a potential target: Robert Nkemdiche:
A coaching source in Oakland said the Raiders would love Elliott to fall to them, but a realistic option is a big defensive tackle or left tackle of the future, per the same source. Two names to remember, according to the coach I talked to, are Chris Jones and Nkemdiche.
It’s still unclear whether they’d take Nkemdiche at No. 14 or prefer to grab him later in the round. Then again, it’s speculation. The Raiders organization rarely gives direct information on potential roster moves, but a prospect with red flags in the top 15 seems like a significant risk for a team hoping to get back into the postseason.
Nonetheless, there’s a consensus leaning toward a defensive lineman as the focus for the first or second round of the draft.
During the predraft session, Del Rio expressed satisfaction with recent signings to revamp the secondary. Don’t expect to see a cornerback at the No. 14 or No. 44 spot.
In addition to the defensive line, Oakland must address the linebacker position with a talent comfortable covering running backs and tight ends in ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
