This mock is my perspective of what I would do in the 2019 NFL Draft based on the current offensive and defensive systems with an emphasis on getting BPA value. IMPORTANT NOTE: I'm using strict rankings from The Sport's Exchange Draft Service
Round 1: 4 (#4th Overall)
LSU LB Devin White
Ht: 6'00⅛" Wt: 232lbs Arms: 32⅛" Hands: 9¾" 40: 4.42 3C: 7.07
2019 Outlook: Starting MLB
NFL Comparison: Former 49er LB Patrick Willis (per LSU HC Ed Orgeron)
Opinions aren't always mutually exclusive. One can believe that Alabama DT Quinnen Williams is going to be a phenomenal NFL player while also believing that LSU LB Devin White is the better long term fit for the Raiders.
Here are the following reasons I believe the Raiders will pass on Quinnen Williams:
1) You don't take an elite player and play him out of position. Once upon a time there was an over-sized 6'09" PG named Magic Johnson who played Center because of injuries. Even though he was effective no one would have ever drafted Magic 1st overall to play Center full time.
Williams true position is 3-Technique DT but many want to play him as a 1-Technique DT. As a 1-Technique NT Williams is considered undersized at 303lbs and will need a full off season in an NFL workout program to bulk up to effectively play the position. Analytically, even on a rookie contract, a Top 5 draft pick on a 1-Technique DT is a hefty price tag. Every cap dollar used to maximize the total value of the roster is a win and makes the entire roster stronger. The Raiders should be able to find someone to eat blocks for far less.
2) Williams could have a slow start to the season. Williams is rumored to have surgery immediately after the draft on the finger that prevented Williams from bench pressing at the Combine. Having a slow start to the development of your top draft pick is not ideal and reminiscent of recent past draft picks that came in as damaged goods. Williams needs to bulk up to play 1-Technique and his pending finger surgery will prevent him from bench pressing further delaying development.
3) Duplicity. Yes, the consensus is that Quinnen Williams is superior to current 3-Technique DT Hurst. However, I don't think the gap is great enough to overcome the luxury of a duplicity of skill sets. Hurst should have been a 1st round prospect and had he been drafted properly I highly doubt anyone would be discounting his great rookie season. Hurst suffers from draft pick bias. Hurst may have been the biggest steal of the draft in 2018 and I would not wash out his development.
Here are the reasons I believe Devin White will be the difference in what must be an agonizing decision between two great prospects:
1)Leadership. White's work ethic and leadership are already legendary. He is a passionate vocal leader. A leader that leads by example is exactly what the Raider's defense needs sans Khalil Mack. I think that White's intangibles will make the difference in this tough choice. Mack's presence is irreplaceable but White will instantly be the face of the defense and a fan favorite.
2)Production. LSU consistently has one of the most talented and athletic defenses year after year. White has been a standout among standouts since 2017 to Williams' impressive single season.
3) Need. The lack of a pass rush was the bane of the frustrations of Raider Nation in 2018 but the inability to cover premium TEs has been a problem for far longer. The additions of coverage LB Brandon Marshall and Devin White would go a long way in remedying that void, especially when you go against Kelce and Hunter 4 times a year. No collegiate LB had a better score in coverage than White's 91.6!
4)Efficiency. I believe the Raiders are really high on NT Justin Ellis, who was hurt for most of 2018 but had an outstanding 2017. Ellis has no dead money for 2020 and needs a big season in 2019. Also I think the Raiders are really excited about DT Maurice Hurst, who is coming off a very promising rookie season. Quinnen Williams is an elite part, adding White improves the sum of the parts by allowing the best unit to get on the field without washing each other out.
TRADE
Get:Round 1:9 (#9th overall)
Round 3: 10 (#74th overall)
Round 4: 10 (#112th overall)
Get:Round 1: 24 (#24th overall via
)Round 1: 27 (#27th overall via
)
Round 1: 9 (#9th Overall via )
Iowa TE TJ Hockenson
Ht: 6'04⅝" Wt: 251lbs Arms: 32¼" Hands: 9½" 40: 4.70 3C: 7.02
2019 Outlook: Starting TE
NFL Comparison: Bengals TE Tyler Eifert
“We don’t want to have a good receiving corps, I want to have the best receiving corps in football, and I think in order to have the best you have to have the best, and in my opinion we added the best wide receiver in football,” Gruden said.LINK
Some in Raider Nation consider Gruden to be untruthful. Personally I believe he has been very transparent. Gruden said that if he returned to the NFL it would have to be with a team a young QB. Check. Gruden said that if he came back to the NFL he "might not ever huddle again". As the season wore on Gruden ran more NHHU (11th most NFL in 2018). Check. In order to run NHHU you need TEs. Hence, its no surprise Gruden has been exploring a plethora of TEs over the last 12 months, including 1st round prospect Iowa TE Noah Fant. I do believe him at his word when Gruden says he wants the best wide receiving corps. Adding Hockenson will definitely put the Raiders in the conversation for have the best aerial weapons in the NFL.
Fant is a great option but his 9.3% drop rate is concerning. The Raiders have done a great job of surrounding Carr with receivers with excellent hands after having been plagued by Cooper's inconsistent hands. Conversely, Hockenson has a wickly low 2.0% drop rate. Hockenson would be extremely dominate working underneath WRs Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams and become a matchup nightmare for opponents.
Fant compares well to compare Raider TE Jared Cook, who was used as a move TE (think of an oversized WR) but his limited run blocking skills were a tell in running situations as he wasn't consistently on the field. Hockenson is the most complete TE prospect in the draft who has also been lauded for his blocking skills, making him a invaluable chess piece in the NHHU game. A complete TE that doesn't have to come off the field in running situations disguises the intent of the offense.
Fant is the more dynamic athlete but Hockeson's metrics will make him functionally more effective. If the Raiders are going to draft a TE high in the draft go get the best TE prospect available and possibly acquire more mid-round assets to boot.
)Iowa TE TJ Hockenson
Ht: 6'04⅝" Wt: 251lbs Arms: 32¼" Hands: 9½" 40: 4.70 3C: 7.02
2019 Outlook: Starting TE
NFL Comparison: Bengals TE Tyler Eifert
“We don’t want to have a good receiving corps, I want to have the best receiving corps in football, and I think in order to have the best you have to have the best, and in my opinion we added the best wide receiver in football,” Gruden said.LINK
Some in Raider Nation consider Gruden to be untruthful. Personally I believe he has been very transparent. Gruden said that if he returned to the NFL it would have to be with a team a young QB. Check. Gruden said that if he came back to the NFL he "might not ever huddle again". As the season wore on Gruden ran more NHHU (11th most NFL in 2018). Check. In order to run NHHU you need TEs. Hence, its no surprise Gruden has been exploring a plethora of TEs over the last 12 months, including 1st round prospect Iowa TE Noah Fant. I do believe him at his word when Gruden says he wants the best wide receiving corps. Adding Hockenson will definitely put the Raiders in the conversation for have the best aerial weapons in the NFL.
Fant is a great option but his 9.3% drop rate is concerning. The Raiders have done a great job of surrounding Carr with receivers with excellent hands after having been plagued by Cooper's inconsistent hands. Conversely, Hockenson has a wickly low 2.0% drop rate. Hockenson would be extremely dominate working underneath WRs Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams and become a matchup nightmare for opponents.
Fant compares well to compare Raider TE Jared Cook, who was used as a move TE (think of an oversized WR) but his limited run blocking skills were a tell in running situations as he wasn't consistently on the field. Hockenson is the most complete TE prospect in the draft who has also been lauded for his blocking skills, making him a invaluable chess piece in the NHHU game. A complete TE that doesn't have to come off the field in running situations disguises the intent of the offense.
Fant is the more dynamic athlete but Hockeson's metrics will make him functionally more effective. If the Raiders are going to draft a TE high in the draft go get the best TE prospect available and possibly acquire more mid-round assets to boot.
Round 2: 3 (#35th Overall)
Delaware FS Nasir Adderley
Ht: 5'11¾" Wt: 203lbs Arms: 31" Hands: 9" 40: 4.62
2019 Outlook: Starting FS
NFL Comparison: Jessie Bates (per NFL.com/Zierlien)
The Raiders got to evaluate Adderley up close at the 2019 Senior Bowl and he went on to become Captain of the Defense for Gruden's North squad. Adderley has the range and ball skills that the Raiders covet and desperately need as their defense was near the bottom of the league in turnovers.
Round 3: 10 (#74th overall via )
Iowa DE Anthony Nelson
Ht: 6'07" Wt: 271lbs Arms: 34⅞" Hands: 9⅞" 40: 4.82 3C:6.95
2019 Outlook: Rotational 43 DE
NFL Comparison: Prototypical Paul Guenther 43 DE
Iowa DE Anthony Nelson also played for the North squad at the 2019 Senior Bowl coached by Gruden and Guenther. Nelson needs to get exponentially stronger but he is a long and athletic, reminiscent of Former Bengals DE Michael Johnson, who was also a 3rd round pick.
)Iowa DE Anthony Nelson
Ht: 6'07" Wt: 271lbs Arms: 34⅞" Hands: 9⅞" 40: 4.82 3C:6.95
2019 Outlook: Rotational 43 DE
NFL Comparison: Prototypical Paul Guenther 43 DE
Iowa DE Anthony Nelson also played for the North squad at the 2019 Senior Bowl coached by Gruden and Guenther. Nelson needs to get exponentially stronger but he is a long and athletic, reminiscent of Former Bengals DE Michael Johnson, who was also a 3rd round pick.
TRADE
Get:Round 3: 15 (#79th overall)
Get:Round 4: 4 (#106th overall via )
Round 4: 27 (#112th overall via
)
Round 3: 15 (#79th Overall via 
)
Penn State OG/OC Conner McGovern
Ht: 6'05⅜" Wt: 308lbs Arms: 34⅛" Hands: 9⅞"
2019 Outlook: Starting RG
NFL Comparison: Rodger Saffold (per NFL.com/Zierlien)
Versatile interior offensive lineman with experience at OG/OC best suited for gap and inside-zone run schemes. McGovern will be the interior swing OG that Mongo should have been.
)Penn State OG/OC Conner McGovern
Ht: 6'05⅜" Wt: 308lbs Arms: 34⅛" Hands: 9⅞"
2019 Outlook: Starting RG
NFL Comparison: Rodger Saffold (per NFL.com/Zierlien)
Versatile interior offensive lineman with experience at OG/OC best suited for gap and inside-zone run schemes. McGovern will be the interior swing OG that Mongo should have been.
Round 5: 2 (#140th Overall via 
for OG Kelechi Osemele on 3/13/19)
Michigan CB David Long
Ht: 5'11⅛" Wt: 196lbs Arms: 30⅞" Hands: 9⅝" 40: 4.45 3C: 6.45
2019 Outlook: Developmental Nickel CB
NFL Comparison: Raiders CB Nick Nelson
Despite the irony of his name, David Long, isn't a lengthy athlete nor does he possess ball skills. However, Long has excellent short area quickness to close on the ball and consistent production against BIG 10 competition.
for OG Kelechi Osemele on 3/13/19)Michigan CB David Long
Ht: 5'11⅛" Wt: 196lbs Arms: 30⅞" Hands: 9⅝" 40: 4.45 3C: 6.45
2019 Outlook: Developmental Nickel CB
NFL Comparison: Raiders CB Nick Nelson
Despite the irony of his name, David Long, isn't a lengthy athlete nor does he possess ball skills. However, Long has excellent short area quickness to close on the ball and consistent production against BIG 10 competition.
Round 7: 4 (#218th Overall )
Nebraska WR Stanley Morgan Jr.
Ht: 6'00" Wt: 202lbs Arms: 32⅜" Hands: 9⅞" 40: 4.53 3C: 6.78 QB rating (slot): 142.2
2019 Outlook: Developmental Slot WR
NFL Comparison: Adam Humphries (NFL.com)
I really like Morgan as a developmental slot WR. In college he didn't play much in the slot but he has all the traits of a slot WR. Morgan has a solid 4.53 40 but his 6.78 3C is ridiculous. Despite his average frame he has decent arm length, big hands and a sticky 4.1% drop rate. NFL.com compared Morgan to WR Adam Humphries who signed with the Titans. Humphries was a player that was heavily reported to be a free agent target by the Raiders until Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams fell in their lap.
Round 7: 237th Overall [via 
for S Shalom Luani on 9/1/18]
Stanford RB Bryce Love
Ht: 5'08⅞" Wt: 200lbs Arms: 29⅜" Hands: 9⅛"
2019 Outlook: 2020 CoP/3rd Down RB
NFL Comparison: Former Raiders RB Charlie Garner
Here the Raiders swing for the fences by drafting a RB with tons of upside that should be ready by 2020. Anything the Raiders get out of Love in 2019 would be a bonus.
for S Shalom Luani on 9/1/18]Stanford RB Bryce Love
Ht: 5'08⅞" Wt: 200lbs Arms: 29⅜" Hands: 9⅛"
2019 Outlook: 2020 CoP/3rd Down RB
NFL Comparison: Former Raiders RB Charlie Garner
Here the Raiders swing for the fences by drafting a RB with tons of upside that should be ready by 2020. Anything the Raiders get out of Love in 2019 would be a bonus.
I hope you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading.