1st Round Pick (5th overall): OLB Khalil Mack – University of Buffalo. Ht: 6’3″, Wt: 251 Lbs., 40-time: 4.64
Not sold on any of the highest rated quarterbacks at this slot, the Raiders will select this top-five talent and eventual All-Pro in the 2014 NFL Draft. Mack is a well put together, scheme-versatile playmaker that made an impact all over the front seven for the Bulls. Mack is solid setting the edge, has very good take-on strength and powerful wrists and hands. He is excellent at using his arms to jolt and lock out.
The linebacker played a hybrid role in the Bulls’ 3-4 scheme, making an impact with his hand in the dirt and standing up off the edge. He set school records for sacks (28.5), tackles for loss (75) and forced fumbles (16). Mack has the three most important traits teams look for in an outside linebacker: instincts, athletic ability and range.
The decision comes down to selecting the best impact player on the board. In the event that DE Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina), LT Greg Robinson (Auburn), OLB Khalil Mack and WR Sammy Watkins (Clemson) are off the board by the fifth pick, the Raiders should select rock-solid OT Jake Matthews (Texas A&M), rated fifth overall, who could start immediately at right tackle and become the Raiders’ future franchise left tackle for the next decade. They also could trade down for more picks. If Oakland decides to trade down; DT Aaron Donald (Pittsburgh), OLB Ryan Shazier (Ohio), OLB Demarcus Lawrence (Boise State), WR Mike Evans (Texas A&M) or G/T Zack Martin (Notre Dame) are possible targets.
2nd Round Pick (36th overall): QB Derek Carr – Fresno State. Ht: 6’2″, Wt: 215 Lbs., 40-Time 4.69
In terms of physical ability, Derek Carr, possesses the seven most important attributes a team looks for in a franchise quarterback: accuracy, football intelligence, being able to read defenses, toughness, arm strength, setup/release acumen and intangibles. Carr shows the ability to square his shoulders and deliver with velocity and accuracy.
Carr displays a unique combination of arm strength, accuracy but his athleticism is underrated. He has solid leadership skills, an astute ability to read/recognize coverages and can elude pressure. A top-50 talent, he is rapidly moving up the draft boards and several teams in need of a quarterback could easily take him in the first round. Carr ranked as the third-best QB prospect in the draft and 22nd overall.
The decision will comes down to Carr, QB Teddy Bridgewater (Louisville), QB Jimmy Garoppolo (Eastern Illinois), QB AJ McCarron (Alabama), WR Donte Moncrief (Mississippi), NT Louis Nix (Notre Dame), DT Timmy Jernigan (Florida State), C Marcus Martin (USC), DE Kony Ealy(Missouri) and RT Ja’Wuan James (Tennessee). One or more of the top-rated quarterbacks will fall to the second round and become the Raiders quarterback of the future although a DT, WR or OLB would also be solid choices.
3rd Round Pick (67th overall): WR Donte Moncrief – Ole Miss. Ht: 6’2″, Wt: 221 Lbs., 40-Time 4.3
Moncrief is a smooth route-runner with a thick frame. A physically gifted receiver, he possesses deep speed and playmaking ability. Sudden out of his breaks, he also shows the ability to generate separation even against tight man coverage. Moncrief was a multi – sport athlete for the Rebels, with a 39.5 inch vertical jump, the best broad jump by a wide receiver (11 feet) and had the third best performance of this year’s NFL combine.
With a big catching radius, he is strong after the catch. Moncrief displays the seven most important traits teams look for in a wide receiver: hands, route-running, release, separation, blocking, body control and intangibles. He ranked as the seventh-best WR prospect in the draft. The decision at this pick comes down to CB Pierre Desir (Lindenwood), OGs Trai Turner (LSU) and David Yankey (Stanford), TE Jace Amaro (Texas Tech); DEs Kareem Martin (North Carolina), Scott Crichton (Oregon State), and Ed Stinson (Alabama); MLB Chris Borland (Wisconsin), WR Jarvis Landry (LSU) and SS Deone Bucannon (Washington State).
4th Round Pick (107th overall): CB/ KR Pierre Desir – Lindenwood. Ht: 6’1″, Wt: 198 lbs., 40-Time 4.56
Desir, born in Haiti, was a Division II standout recruited out of high school to play for Washburn University in Topeka, KS. He transferred to Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO. due to the financial burden of raising a family after losing some of his in the earthquakes that devastated Haiti. Desir is an explosive athlete. His 11′ 1″ broad jump was the second best at the NFL Combine and the former Lion showed he could play against FBS competition at the Senior Bowl. He has a lean, athletic build and good height for the position that dominated Division II competition. A fluid athlete with light feet, flexibility and balance; he quickly locates the ball and attacks underneath routes. Desir possesses the five most important traits teams look for in cornerbacks: coverage, read & react, confidence, ball skills and closing speed. He is ranked as the 10th best CB prospect in the draft.
The decision for the Raiders at this pick should be between LB Shayne Skov (Stanford), CB/FS Marqueston Huff (Wyoming), FS Brock Vereen (Minnisota), DT Will Sutton (Arizona State), WR Bruce Ellington (South Carolina), CB Terrance Mitchell (Oregon), DE/LB Marcus Smith (Louisville), RB Terrence West (Towson), OLB Ronald Powell (Florida), WR Martavis Bryant (Clemson), CB Ross Cockrell (Duke) and CB Bashaud Breeland (Clemson).
7th Round Pick (219th overall): NT Ryan Carrethers – Arkansas State. Ht: 6’1″, Wt: 330 Lbs.
Carrethers was a highly productive NFL-strong DT that dominated the Sun Belt Conference competition. He’s not simply a big body, but an impressive athlete with stamina and a solid motor. Ryan had 68 tackles, three-and-a-half tackles for loss and one sack in 2012. He broke out in 2013, posting 93 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks and two blocked field goals.
The former Red Wolf had an impressive 16-tackle game against Lafayette and his wrestling background has helped him understand leverage. With outstanding weight room strength, sheer mass and natural girth to hold his ground, he handles double-teams. He has solid character on and off the field, is dedicated to his craft and brings a professional approach to the game. Ryan does a good job occupying blocks and clogging run lanes. Carrethers ranked as the 20th DT prospect in the draft.
7th Round Pick 235th overall: DE/DT Zach Moore – Concordia. Ht: 6’5″, Wt: 285 Lbs.
Moore is a productive Division II prospect that played both defensive end and defensive tackle, posting 130 tackles, 45.5 tackles for less and 33 sacks in five years. A finalist for the Cliff Harris Division II Player of the Year award, the two-time team captain was the first Concordia player invited to the NFL Combine. Moore has experience in a 4-3 or 3-4 front and averaged a sack per game for his college career. The former Eagle received a fifth round grade although, due to the level of competition, may fall to the seventh.
7th Round Pick 247the overall: OLB Morgan Breslin – USC. Ht: 6’1″, Wt: 250 Lbs.
Due to hip and ankle injuries, Breslin was a 2014 NFL Combine snub. As a junior, he was USC’s top pass rusher logging 13 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss. Breslin struggled to stay healthy in 2013 and played in only five games. He played DE in a 4-3 front under Monte Kiffin and LB under Clancy Pendergast in his attacking 3-4 front. The move did not slow him down and he posted 4.5 sacks and eight tackles in five games. Considering that Breslin’s ability to rush the passer is his greatest asset, if he passes his medical check, he could be a late round steal.