Predicting who the Raiders will have to choose from at 10 and what they should do

It’s mock draft season, so let’s have some fun. I’m going to go pick-by-pick and see who’s left on the board for the Oakland Raiders at #10. At that point, I’ll give you my thoughts on who I think they’ll pick, who I would rather them pick, and who I want them to stay away from. It’s obviously difficult to predict the first nine picks, but this would be my best guess right now:

1 - CLEVELAND BROWNS

Sam Darnold, QB, USC

John Dorsey takes his first crack at a franchise quarterback for the Browns.

2 - NEW YORK GIANTS

Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

They have Eli Manning, but he’s aging and Rosen can flat out ball. Why not let the kid learn from a two time super bowl champion for a year and assess it after the season?

3 - NEW YORK JETS

Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

The most physically gifted passer in the draft, with an absolute cannon for an arm, will be drafted earlier than he probably should. The QB hungry Jets didn’t trade up for a running back, guys.

4 - CLEVELAND BROWNS

Bradley Chubb, EDGE, NC State

In my mind, Chubb is the best defensive player in the draft, so the Browns snag him here and pair him with Myles Garrett. That’s a young, dangerous duo.

5 - DENVER BRONCOS (BUFFALO? MIAMI?)

Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

I could see Denver trading back with Buffalo or Miami here if they’re all in on Case Keenum, unless they’re not? In that “case” (hehe) they’d draft Mayfield themselves and let the two QBs battle it out in camp, with Keenum the favorite to start the season.

6 - INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame

Taking a guard this high is more of a testament to how good Nelson is. He’s probably the safest pick in the draft, and will solidify a position on an offensive line that needs all the help it can get to keep Andrew Luck healthy.

7 - TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Some say Barkley will go #1 overall, but I don’t think he does. How can Tampa Bay pass on him here? He’s a freak athlete that can play all three downs, and could solidify himself as one of the elite running backs in the league early on in his career.

8 - CHICAGO BEARS

Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

The best pure corner in the draft? Arguably so. He’s smart, talented, has great footwork/technique, and had 24 passes defensed while allowing under 33% completion percentage when throwing his direction during his final two years as a Buckeye.

9 - SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech

Edmunds is 6’5”, weighs 250+ pounds, and runs a 4.54 40-yard dash. How is that even possible? Put him inside, put him outside, put him wherever. Edmunds totaled over 30 tackles for loss and had exactly 10 sacks during his last two seasons. The best part is he’s continued to get better, especially the second half of this past season where he started to put it all together.

Best Players Still Available:

• Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

• Derwin James, DB, Florida State

• Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

• Vita Vea, DT, Washington

• Maurice Hurst, DT, Michigan

• Harold Landry, EDGE, Boston College

• Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville

• Josh Jackson, CB, Iowa

• Derrius Guice, RB, LSU

WHO WOULD THE RAIDERS PICK?

Minkah Fitzpatrick, DB, Alabama

It makes too much sense. Derrick Ansley, the new DB coach for the Raiders, held the same position at Alabama and coached Fitzpatrick. The former Crimson Tide star played a good amount of safety recently because his team needed him to, but not because he couldn’t get it done on the perimeter.

He can play outside, he has proven to be stellar covering the slot, he can deliver momentum changing hits, and he has shown up when it matters most time and time again. He’s a gamer.

For the Raiders, having a trio of Fitzpatrick, Gareon Conley, and Rashaan Melvin in 2018 would be one crazy upgrade over David Amerson, Sean Smith, and TJ Carrie. Also, if Melvin leaves via free agency after 2018, the Raiders would have Conley and Fitzpatrick as their cornerstone outside guys for years to come (ideally). Home run selection.

WHO I WOULD SELECT, IF IT WERE UP TO ME?

Derwin James, DB, Florida State

Versatile, violent, physical, polished, did I say versatile? James would be an absolute steal if he’s still on the board when the Raiders select on draft day, and the funny part about it is I think he will be! He’s a safety-cornerback-linebacker hybrid, who can excel in the box, provide solid coverage in the slot or on tight ends, has the talent to play outside, and he’s one heck of a blitzer.

Like Fitzpatrick, he has quality leadership traits and plays with passion consistently. I’d pencil him in at strong safety, but wouldn’t be shocked if he’s moved all over the place with a ton of different responsibilities depending on the package they’re in defensively. Yes, the Raiders have Karl Joseph, but I’d bump Joseph to free safety and make it work with James. He’s that good, and would be another home run selection.

WHAT ABOUT ROQUAN SMITH?

Unless GM Reggie McKenzie is somehow neutered in the draft selection process due to Jon Gruden taking full control, I just don’t see the Raiders taking a linebacker here. On top of that, there’s no question Roquan Smith is a beast, but linebacker is not typically considered one of the marquee positions that are worthy of such a high draft pick (exceptions can be made).

Benjamin Albright, who’s a well respected NFL insider and radio host, recently broke it down by saying the five most important positions to address when building a football team are QB, EDGE, OT, CB, WR. So, obviously Derek Carr and Khalil Mack are the cornerstone franchise players for the Silver & Black, but a second pass rusher, a right tackle that could eventually take over for Donald Penn at left tackle, another corner, and even another wide receiver would all be positions you’d like addressed and solidified if you’re going off of that model.

Now, I am firmly a believer in taking the best player available with your selection, but I don’t believe Roquan Smith is better than some of the players that play more valuable positions like Fitzpatrick, James, etc. I surely wouldn’t be mad if they did shock me and select the former Bulldog linebacker, and it would surely address a position that hasn’t been stellar in recent memory.