The Oakland Raiders have grabbed plenty of headlines already this offseason and with three first-round picks, they could be in store for even more drama.
With a boatload of cap space and draft picks, the Oakland Raiders entered the offseason as one of the most intriguing teams in the NFL and, boy, have they not disappointed.
A new franchise left tackle in Trent Brown and new star wide receiver in Antonio Brown, the Raiders have positioned themselves to look a whole lot different on the field in 2019 than they did last season.
With the flurry of free agent moves already on the books, the team also heads into the 2019 NFL Draft with a league-high three first-round draft picks. This draft capital should allow them to be aggressive in pursuing some of the class’ top prospects, but just what could that draft look like after an already-busy offseason? It’s time to take a look with your post-Combine, post-free agency, seven-round mock draft:
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Kyler Murray
QB, Oklahoma
The Raiders have re-tooled their offense through a flurry of free agent signings and trades, but the biggest change yet to come could still be at the quarterback position.
With all of the moves that the team has made so far this offseason, perhaps the most impressive has been still holding on to the team’s three first-round selections. It’s very possible that the motivation behind this is the desire to trade up to take the team’s quarterback of the future, none other than Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray.
Jon Gruden has been effusive in his praise for Murray during the draft process and while it could just be a smokescreen, Derek Carr just doesn’t seem to add up as the team’s long-term option at the position.
A new left tackle and shiny new receiving corps could help to give Murray the best chance at starting from day one if the team chooses to go that route, and they could elect to use Carr as trade-bait for several of the teams out there still in need of a quarterback.
Murray’s development will be one of the most closely-watched storylines we’ve seen in the NFL recently but he could fit right in as the Raiders’ next star as the team continues to rebuild and pack its bags on the way to Las Vegas.
Byron Murphy
CB, Washington
Oakland poached safety Lamarcus Joyner from the Rams in free agency and could continue to look to build up their secondary with one of their first-round selections.
Washington’s Byron Murphy is a quick-twitch cornerback with excellent toughness and instincts, and could pair nicely opposite Gareon Conley in the Raiders’ secondary. Despite not having much in the way of experience at the college level, Murphy presents tremendous upside and should be aided in his development in the presence of a veteran safety like Joyner.
Murphy’s length and size could push him down draft boards a bit but the Raiders could certainly pounce on him in this range as they continue to build their defense heading into next season.
Dalton Risner
OL, Kansas State
The trade of Kemechi Osemele to the Jets opened up a spot at guard for the Raiders next season, and one name who could be a great fit is Kansas State’s Dalton Risner.
Risner is the type of player Jon Gruden would have a personal shrine to. A big, physical offensive lineman with a nasty streak and excellent technique, Gruden seemed excited to be getting an up-close scouting view during Risner’s great week at the Senior Bowl in Mobile.
Last year’s first-round selection Kolton Miller’s impending move to right tackle should help his development and with new acquisition Trent Brown on the left side, adding Risner could give its potential new quarterback an offensive line capable of protecting him in his rookie season.