Everyone these days it seems is a draft expert. Raider fans, here’s your chance to show off your silver-and-black knowledge and go on the record in advance of head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock making their two first-round picks a week from today.
Over the next several days, we here at RaidersSnakePit will compile the responses from everyone and provide readers with a sense of what others are thinking.
This is open to everyone, though we would be thrilled if you subscribed and joined the passionate, loyal readers that populate this site.
All you need to do is answer the following questions, either with a player name or whether you think Gruden and Mayock are going to trade up or trade down.
- Who do you think the Raiders are going to draft at No. 12? What do you want the Raiders to do at No. 12?
- Who do you think the Raiders are going to draft at No. 19? What do you want the Raiders to do at No. 19?
- Feel free to tack on a comment, as well.
- If you won’t want your name used, just let us know.
You can leave your picks in the replies at the bottom of this post or on Twitter.
It will all depend on how the draft plays out. If the “3” receivers are taken early, we draft best remaining dependent upon Mayock and Gruden’s boards. Every pick in every round will be dependent upon what other teams are offering in exchange for the pick and what players are available at that point.
Of course, but try to project and then come up with the players you think/want the Raiders will pick at Nos. 12 and 19.
Pick #12: Jerry Jeudy
Rationale: Lamb will be gone, Jeudy next best WR. Fits Gruden’s scheme)
Pick #19: What I want them to do? Trade down.
If they don’t, the pick is Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah
This is the perfect response. Thanks, Ghost. Everyone else can just follow this template.
Thanks Steve. Keep up the great work. 6 days until the draft!
#12 CB C J Henderson
#19 trade down lower in rd 1 or down into rd 2 but if no trade available, take WR Justin Jefferson
May look strange missing out on one of the big 3 receivers at 12 but there is far more depth at receiver than CB, which is a position of equal need as WR for us in my book. Take the best corner on the board at 12!
Solid rationale, Andy. Thank you, Sir.
Thanks for running this, Steve – found it interesting, being put on the spot. Must be a nightmare for a GM on the clock, when it’s for real… such a temptation to second guess yourself, even on a fans/friends website so who knows what it’s like when the clock is in the final minute?
How about running something similar for the start of each day of the draft… who will you pick in the first round of each day, having seen what happened on day 1 and 2?
Go Raiders
You’re welcome, Andy. Now, imagine having to be scrutinized/praised right away and living with the ramifications of these picks for the rest of your career? Yeah, it’s daunting. And, no wonder these guys play it safe more times than not, for fear of whiffing.
I think we take CB CJ Henderson.
I would take WR H. Ruggs, if he is gone, WR J. Jeudy.
If an offer is there and a team like the pats wants Love, take the extra picks.
I do think they move out of 19. Thats is what Mayock wants and teams know it, which could lead to us not getting great value. But Mayock wants picks.
If we stay at 19, the pick is WR T Higgins. What Mayock said the other day about the WRs, and who he likes, worries me. Taking a WR here, I prefer M. Pittman
I would take FS A. Winfield, if he is gone, CB K. Fulton.
I will say one more thing, again, if the reports are true and Gruden/Mayock are all in on QB J. Hurts, I can see them taking him at 19 if no trade arises. Each draft there seems to be a holy shit moment, especially with QBs.
#12 Pick will be either Lamb or Ruggs, if Lamb is there, that’s the pick. If not, Ruggs is the pick over Jeudy because of his speed and Jeudy is likely seen as an Amari Cooper who they already off loaded. Lamb will likely be there since there is usually always a bigger run on QBs than everyone anticipates moving other players down.
#19 The pick will be Grant Delpit. He’s versatile and may be seen as a better prospect than any of the CBs left on the board. Mayock will try to trade down from this position, but may find it difficult to find a trading partner as he did last year with the #4.
My wish list: Lamb at 12 and Queen at 19.
Good to see the rational responses here! Yes, grab CB at 12, trade down at 19 to acquire extra picks, and then WR because the draft is deeper at WR than CB. Thanks for the opportunity to weigh in!
12 Lamb 19 Ruggs or if a top WR is not there trade back for more picks. I would like the Raiders to have a WR that could make the team in KC. Being a top 5 team in Dropped passes over the last 6 years is how you lose. We also need a CB and someone that can hit the Muppet of KC the 49ers showed that’s the way to slow down the best player in the league.
If there isn’t a defensive stud at 12, I’d try and trade back into the late teens, and get an additional 2nd rd, and maybe a 3rd round pick. Jeudy reminds me too much of Amari; way too many drops. If you are dropping passes in college, wait until you have a #1 NFL corner on you. I like Justin Jefferson as much as the other three receivers and he played in a much much competitive environment then Lamb. Big 12 defenses suck. It’s like 7 on 7 passing drills. I’d also try and trade back with #19. I don’t think there’s that much separating some of these receivers. Throw in guys like Claypool, Pittman, Higgins, Duvernay, Mims; there is no shortage of guys that can catch and run. If Henderson is gone at 12 and we can’t trade down, then we pick the best defensive or offensive player available. Same at 19. If they have to stay at 19, then pick the best secondary guy on the board. I don’t care if that ends up being a safety.