It’s time for another live chat, so we can catch up on whatever is on your mind pertaining to the Raiders: Who are the Raiders going to draft in the first round, which team are they going to open the season against, should the Raiders go after Dez Bryant, if he becomes available? You name
Raiders live chat Thursday at noon PDT
Submit your questions at bottom of this post, either right now or during event
Staying put at #10 Steve, have you any insight at what Raiders would do if Smith, Fitzpatrick, Vea were available?
Yes, I do. In fact, I am going to write a post on the topic later today, possibly tomorrow. But, the Raiders now are seriously considering taking an offensive lineman at No. 10, in keeping with first-year coach Jon Gruden’s commitment to establishing a strong running game, which would set up the passing game.
Going back to the classic draft question, which is very applicable this year…do the Raiders draft for need, or BPA? I THINK IF HEY SIT PAT AT 10, you have to go BPA, right? Sorry for the early question, I’ll be at work during all the fun tomorrow!
For those unsure what “BPA” means, Jon, I am spelling it out real quick. That stands for Best Player Available. With that out of the way, the Raiders will go for the best player available, for sure. There’s also a decent chance that the Raiders will trade down if they receive a sweet enough offer. There are teams willing to trade up, too, though it might be higher than where the Raiders stand right now.
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Nfl Network could not confirm whether or not Mack was in the building second day, any insights?
Mack seems to love the grind and the type of guy who would be excited to be with his team voluntary or not, skipping even voluntary workouts must bother him a little.
On the other hand as a true proven vet in his prime with a strong work ethic and one of the best in the league, he does not need to be micro-managed and staying away during these voluntary things focusing on maximizing his health and body should be encouraged.
I heard that he was not in the building. It would carry a lot of weight if he did show up, even if it’s to put to rest any concerns about his long-term intent. He’s going to get paid, and it’s going to be by the Raiders. It’s just a matter of when this goes down. As I wrote, it’s likely going to be after the Rams have signed Aaron Donald to an extension. He isn’t at risk of being hurt it he’s just walking around the building slapping backs, bumping fists and meeting Gruden and others.
Do you see us taking a receiver or running back in the second round? I gotta believe gruden wants to add an impact player or two on offense with game breaking speed. Or maybe even drafting rb penny in round 3/4?
Well, it depends whether they sign another receiver between now and the draft. What if they trade for or sign Dez Bryant, if he were to be cut in the coming days? That changes everything. But, for now, I don’t expect the Raiders to take a running back or a receiver that early on. They have bigger needs at other positions.
Who will be calling the plays and will Carr be able to call some of his own plays
This one is easy. Jon Gruden will be calling the plays. Don’t listen to James Jones spouting about the topic. He’s just talking. As for Derek Carr, yes, he will have the latitude to audible, as he shows that he is adept at getting the Raiders out of bad play calls and into better ones, depending upon how the defense lines up.
It’s great Gruden is brining in so much competition. Gonna push players to be great. I ponied up for season tickets last year flying from Los Angeles.
Any insights as to why the Reggie and Jack didn’t create any competition in camp and players were just handed there jobs? WTF total wasted year.
Great question, Noah. This gets back to a lack of depth on the roster. It’s hard to create competition at cornerback when Gareon Conley and David Amerson are hurt. That leaves Sean Smith and TJ Carrie, with long-shots such as Dexter McDonald and Antonio Hamilton as the backups. That’s why Gruden wants numbers, so that he has options. It’s why he brought in Doug Martin, even though he already has Marshawn Lynch, Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington and Elijah Hood. Players need to step up and perform to get playing time.
In light of the Reuben Foster felony charges, do you think that increases the chances of the 49ers taking Roquan Smith or Edmunds at 9?
Well, colleague Bill Williamson is addressing this very topic soon. Yes, it does increase the likelihood of the 49ers taking Edmunds or Roquan Smith. That’s fine, though, if the Raiders still have a shot at the one that doesn’t get picked by the 49ers at No. 9. More important, with three, maybe four quarterbacks expected to be taken before the Raiders are on the clock, the Raiders are assured of having a crack at a very, very good player, regardless who the 49ers draft.
In that post, I will provide the name of the player that has caught the Raiders’ eye, so to speak. You haven’t heard it linked to the Raiders yet, suffice.
Good Afternoon, if the Raiders draft a RB, will Richard/Washington be traded or released?
One, for sure. DeAndre Washington is the more likely one to be traded or released, given Richard can return punts. But, Jon Gruden and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia will be watching Richard on punt returns very closely. If Richard struggles hanging on to the ball, he is at severe risk of being traded or released.
Along those lines, Jon, the Raiders simply are too thin talent-wise to take the approach of drafting for biggest need at No. 10. They need more and more impact players. If they can get one at 10, then add another one in the second round, perhaps, that’s a huge coup. They just need talented players more so than targeting a specific need.
What are the chances that Seth Roberts and Johnny Holton make the roster?
Johnny Holton is a long-shot, especially if the Raiders sign another receiver or draft one between now and training camp. Seth Roberts will make the roster, almost for certain, as the Raiders simply don’t have much depth beyond Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson.
Cork,
As always thank you for the couch trip.
When will you have availability to Gruden and the players? Will it be after the draft?
Will Gruden and or RM hold a predraft presser?
Sorry I cant stay for the whole chat, previous engagements. I wanted to ask these as I missed the last chat too.
You bet, Philip. Always room on Cork’s Couch for you. There is a pre-draft news conference with McKenzie and Gruden, yes. We’ll be all over that, for sure.
Have we had Nelson, Minkah, Ward, Vea or R Smith on visits?
Not yet, but the Raiders still have a handful of their 30 visits left. Also, it’s not uncommon to not have such high-profile players in for visits because there aren’t that many questions about them. It’s the other players that aren’t can’t-miss prospects, or close to such, that teams are interested in finding out more about.
Is it possible the Raiders may change flagship radio stations? It seems they are discussing the Raiders less and less while emphasizing the other NFL team in the Bay Area.
If they were smart, and had a suitable option, yes. It’s as if 95.7 has given up on the Raiders, and it is egregious. You can’t treat a team you have a relationship with that way.
I don’t remember if you said this in recent posts, will you or BW be at the draft this year?
Have a great afternoon.
Thank you for all the articles and differing opinions on topics. You and BW are doing great and I appreciate it.
Teams also get a chance to meet with top-tier players at the scouting combine and some of the all-star games, so they already have had a chance to meet with players such as Minkah, Nelson and Smith.
Let’s get this one out of the way, too, before it gets asked. No, the Raiders should not think about signing Reuben Foster, if the 49ers cut the second-year linebacker on the heels of Foster being charged with three felonies today. If Foster is guilty of what he is charged, he should have played his last down in the NFL and fans should boycott any team that signs him. Again, this is if Foster is guilty of what he is alleged to have done and, then, if the 49ers were to cut him.
After researching many of the top draft prospects, I remain sold on Quenton Nelson on being the player the Raiders should take, if Nelson were available as late as No. 10. I wouldn’t even be opposed to the Raiders trading up a spot or two to make sure that they get Nelson. He’s that good. He would bolster the Raiders offensive line in a big way and bring more attitude and nastiness.
man i been saying this on my twitter for months. He is by far the best player available and he is an absolute monster. glad to hear someone else say it
Where would he fit? Move KO to right tackle and play Nelson at left guard?
Hi Steve – does the Landry signing make Cooper at all expendable via trade given the ridiculous dollars involved? I know this site has touched on this concern before, but now that his contract has happened, this has to scare teams I’d think.
Also, I have a Foster related question – how much info does a team have in the early days of a situation like this? Surely the Niners knew about the eardrum, and that it was more severe than “removing an ex from his house” or whatever garbage was spewed, yes?
Hello, Russell. Yes, in those terms, Cooper is very attractive to other teams because he hasn’t hit full-blown free agency yet. The bigger concern for the Raiders is, the wide receiver market has skyrocketed, which means the cost to keep Cooper has soared, too. I will be writing more about this later today. Very interesting topic. Great question.
As for your question about Reuben Foster, Russell, teams have a lot more information than the media and others have in regards to legal situations like the one that involves their young linebacker. The teams just hope and pray that all the information that they know doesn’t become public. At this point, the 49ers are going to be hard-pressed to keep Foster on their roster, unless they have irrefutable evidence that shows Foster is innocent of the crimes he is alleged to have committed.
I am off to work on the posts I mentioned. Thanks for joining. If you weren’t able to participate today, simply leave a question whenever you get a chance and I will answer most, if not all, later today. Thanks — Cork
One more, Steve – with the Foster news, do you think the Niners might make Bowman an offer to return, costing the Raiders what I can only assume they figure is a lock re-sign at the moment?