Five days before the draft kicks off, it’s easy to create scenarios in which head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock have several seemingly can’t-miss prospects at wide receiver and cornerback available when the Raiders pick at No. 12 and No. 19. Yet, as soon as one team ahead of the Raiders, say,
Identifying wide receiver, cornerback that Jon Gruden, Raiders might end up with if top options aren’t available
The question is why didn’t Terrell play great in last 2 games? He tried to cover Ja’Marr Chase, who will likely be a top 10 pick next year. Scouts liked the fact that even when Terrell got beat, he didn’t back down or hang his head.
From Draftnik Dane Brugler below, who tweeted:
“If AJ Terrell is available. Several teams in the top-16 picks have their eyes on the Clemson CB. Terrell is going to go higher than most think.”
Steve, good article looking at the “what ifs” that every team needs to think of come draft time. As per the article you put out looking for draft picks from fans, I respectfully disagree with the WR at 12 proposition.
I think we go corner there – hopefully C J Henderson – to deal with a major weakness, and then either trade down from 19 or pick Justin Jefferson, who you name above and would be great value at that pick as a Swiss army knife, do it all type to fit Gruden’s offense.
Love when you and others disagree, Andy. It’s allowed in here. Everyone has their opinion, and each opinion is respected. That’s part of what makes this site so enjoyable. We can have an adult conversation, with reasoned arguments.
To your point, I say what position Gruden and Mayock address at No. 12 is tied in to which players have been taken by that point. So, let’s say that Lamb and Jeudy and Henderson are available at No. 12, or at least one of those two receivers, a strong case can be made for taking Henderson, particularly in this draft because there are so many standout receivers available.
Either way, the Raiders can’t lose if they get a top receiver and cornerback in the first round. There’s simply too many studs to go wrong either way.
Amen to that outcome, Cork… deal with our two biggest deficiencies first!
Can’t wait for the draft to have something relating to sports happening for a few days. Could do without the 1 a.m. start time over here in the UK though. Keep up the great work guys &
Stay well fellow pit dwellers!!
Bless you, Andy. Even better for the Raiders would be to get a stud receiver or cornerback at No. 12, trade down from No. 19, add a second-round pick and still get a cornerback or receiver, whichever position they bypassed at No. 12, with the lower first-round pick. That’s the goal of Mayock, for sure.
Agreed. If you watch Terrell, you see a confident, talented player who wants to cover the best receiver and try to contest every ball. No shame in getting beat by the combo of Burrow and Chase in the title game. Terrell had tight coverage on some of the throws that turned in to big plays, too. For the Raiders, the issue is, if they don’t acquire a second-round pick, it’s take Terrell at No. 19 or miss out on him. He’s not falling into the third round.
Will you be tipping the picks before they’re announced this year Steve?
I did that for several years and received calls from the league. As a result, I responded by giving the picks to national colleagues, and word spread. We’ll see. I might. It’s fun to tweak the league.