2019 Oakland Raiders Discussion

...saw that we just drafted Michigan State QB Connor Cook. I've seen him play. I like his edge and moxie. Not your prototypical signal caller. Then again...they said the same thing about Rich Gannon.

Edit: just found out that we gave up two additional picks to move up and get Cook. Not thrilled... McKenzie probably thought there isn't much pickings out there so it is irrelevant?

 

I don't know that I understand that move.

 

I'll do more research, but so far I'm digging only two of our picks.

 

Let me backtrack. The stats sites love Cook and Washington. Washington is rated the fifth best RB at prediction machine. Cook is tied for 6th at qb.

 

Cory James. OLB. Sixth round.

 

That's a good 7th rounder: gigantic OL with huge upside.

 

We did fine with late round pick Feliciano so...

 

Overall grades for the Raider draft class hover between B and a B+. Looking forward to who we sign in the undrafted free agents. This McCaffrey kid? Way to stick it to his dad. LOL! Chargers signed 30 in one day! What?!

After the smoke cleared...the Connor pick makes sense financially and as a security in case McGloin bolts or becomes an assistant coach.

 

Oakland Raiders Draft Recap (2016)


THE SELECTIONS
14. Karl Joseph - S, West Virginia
44. Jihad Ward - DE, Illinois
75. Shilique Calhoun – DE/OLB, Michigan State
100. Connor Cook – QB, Michigan State
143. DeAndre Washington - RB, Texas Tech
194. Cory James - OLB, Colorado State
234. Vadal Alexander – OG, Louisiana State University


ROUND ONE / SELECTION 14
Karl Joseph - S, West Virginia
5'10, 205 pounds (Combine)
Current Status: ***? (Probable Starter)
Potential: ***** (Pro Bowler)
Plus/Minus: Plus Hitting, Plus Ballhawk

Stats (Sports-Reference.com):
Played four seasons at West Virginia, picked up 274 total tackles in 41 games. Add 7 Passes Defended, 5 interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries, and 3 forced fumbles. Even had two sacks. Was off to an insane start in 2015 with 5 INTs in four games, 2 TFL, and 20 total tackles before injury ended his season. He finished 11th in the Big 12 in solo tackles since 2005.What he is: An NFL ready Strong Safety who punishes in the run game and is opportunistic in pass coverage. He seems like the real deal and should find himself starting for Oakland in 2016, even with knee concerns.

What he could be: Every player comparison is to a Pro Bowler. Most of them are All Pro, too. Karl Joseph could hold down the secondary for Oakland for the next decade.


ROUND TWO / SELECTION 44
Jihad Ward - DE, Illinois
6'5, 297 pounds (Combine)
Current Status: *? (Roster Body, DL depth)
Potential: **** (Adequate Starter)
Plus/Minus: Plus Versatility, Plus Athleticism, Minus Technique, Minus Experience

Stats (Sports-Reference.com):
Two-year starter at Illinois after transferring from JUCO, Ward posted 47 solo tackles, 57 assists, and 5.5 sacks. He added 5 recoveries, forced 4 fumbles, and defended 3 passes.

What he is: Not ready for prime time, but he has potential to play on the defensive interior or on the edge. He’s a great athlete, but he needs work.

What he could be: All signs point toward a ceiling that is adequate starter, borderline Pro Bowler. It is unclear whether that will be inside or (more likely) at the edge rusher position.


ROUND THREE / SELECTION 75
Shilique Calhoun – DE/OLB, Michigan State
6'4, 251 pounds (Pro Day)
Current Status: **? (Rotation Pass Rusher)
Potential: **** (Adequate Starter)
Plus/Minus: Plus Rushing, Plus Experience, Minus Run Stuff

Stats (Sports-Reference.com):
Played in 39 games over his final three seasons at Michigan State plus some time as a freshman. In that time, he picked up a whopping 27 sacks, including 18.5 over his final two seasons. Recorded 44 tackles for loss, forced 4 fumbles, recovered 5, and defended 5. Picked off one pass as a sophomore. He finishes ranked third in sacks in the Big Ten since 2005.
What he is: Lanky looking pass rusher who seems to have room to add bulk, Calhoun shows great speed from the outside. Could already do some damage in pass rush situations.

What he could be: Calhoun could develop into a better than average Defensive End, showing particular prowess in passing situations. He could develop better run stuff skills if he bulks up. At OLB, he seems less experienced, so his top end is a question mark.


ROUND FOUR / SELECTION 100
Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
6'4, 217 pounds (Combine)
Current Status: **? (First Year Starter)
Potential: ****? (Above Average Starter)
Plus/Minus: Plus Arm Strength, Plus NFL Readiness, Minus Accuracy

Stats (Sports-Reference.com):
A three-year starter at MSU, Cook threw for 3000+ yards twice, finishing with 9194 yards. He was remarkably consistent with good TD, low INT numbers: 22/6 as a sophomore, 24/8 as a junior, and 24/7 as a senior. The knock against his game is accuracy: never connected on 59% of his passes or better. Cook added 209 yards rushing and 3 TDs on the ground.
What he is: Connor Cook is close to an NFL ready QB who can throw the long ball and thread the needle. He will be a fantastic backup as a rookie, and he could be ready to start by season’s end, but he’ll likely throw a lot of picks even for a rookie.

What he could be: Cook as the pedigree to be a no frills, consistent QB in the NFL for years to come. Depending upon the competition, he has a shot at a Pro Bowl, perhaps; much depends upon how he handles this early adversity that is being drafted by a team with a young, stud QB to play behind.


ROUND FIVE / SELECTION 143
DeAndre Washington , RB, Texas Tech University
5'8, 204 pounds (Combine)
Current Status: **? (Special Teams/3rd Down Back)
Potential: **** (Adequate Starter/Good Complementary Back)
Plus/Minus: Plus Acceleration, Plus After Catch, Minus Blocking, Minus Size

Stats (Sports-Reference.com):
Washington played in 49 games for the Red Raiders, being both a featured back and a change of pace back at different times in his career. He improved every season, moving from 475 yards from scrimmage and 3 TDs as a Frosh to 719/4 as a sophomore, 1431/4 as a junior, and 1877/16 as a senior. Not only did he post two 1100+ yard rushing seasons; he also caught 30+ passes in three straight seasons. Returned kicks as a freshman (18.7 yards per return).
What he is: A small, powerfully built back who thrived in the spread offense TTU runs. He might have a chance to return some kicks, but his main value will be on third downs, where he can line up in the backfield or split out and run routes. Could fill the role Helu couldn’t last season.

What he could be: Washington has an intriguing upside, especially in the Raiders’ offense. With a loaded receiving corps and a solid workhorse back already in place, the Raiders need someone who can catch out of the backfield and spell Murray on some running plays. If Washington can become a more effective blocker, he could make a decent career in the complementary role.


ROUND SIX / SELECTION 194
Cory James, OLB, Colorado State
6’2, 229 pounds (Pro Day)
Current Status: *? (Roster Body / Special Teams Player)
Potential: **? (Backup LB)
Plus/Minus: Plus Speed, Minus Recognition, Minus Size

Stats (Sports-Reference.com):
James appeared in 40+ games for Colorado State. He posted incredibly consistent numbers: between 51 and 65 total tackles each season, between 8.5 and 12 tackles for loss each season, and 22.5 sacks over his first three seasons before that number fell to 2.0 as a senior.

James finished third in the Mountain West Conference in sacks (since 2005).

What he is: An intriguing prospect who has positional versatility in college but who will first have to nail down a position in which he can thrive. Not great instincts for a LB, not good size for an Edge Rusher. Special Teamer.

What he could be: Hard to see the upside in James given his size/strength combo. Could make it as a backup LB some day.


ROUND SEVEN / SELECTION 234
Vadal Alexander, OG, Louisiana State University
6'5, 326 pounds (Combine)
Current Status: ** (Role Player – Line Depth)
Potential: **** (Adequate Starter)
Plus/Minus: Plus Size, Plus Run Block, Minus Speed, Minus Conditioning

Stats (Sports-Reference.com):
Alexander started in 46 games at LSU, splitting his time between Left Guard and Right Tackle.
What he is: Big offensive lineman, has some strength, especially in the run game; can seem unmotivated at times, so he’s plodding. Likely a stationary Guard in the NFL unless he develops some quickness and urgency. Could see the field in 2016.

What he could be: NFL teams need OL depth, and the Raiders value versatility. On one hand, Alexander has the ability to stick around and blow open holes in the run game when offered a chance. On the other hand, he has to get moving to make the most of his physical skills. Players with his skill set have tended to become respectable career starters.

 

That Amerson hit on Geno Smith still gets me. Wow.

 

Working through the list of UDFAs Raiders signed:

KJ Brent, WR, Wake Forest
6'4" 192
?/?
56 receptions, 735 ards, 2 TDs
Senior Year: 42-583-1
He's a big body, but I can't find much tape on him so far. Seems to use his hands well, but that's about all I can find.


James Cowser, DL, Southern Utah
6'3" 248# (Combine)
*/**
Set FCS record for sacks (42.5) and tackles for loss (80).
Fascinating guy. He's older - having gone all four years and done two years' mission work, but he put up monstrous numbers at a small school.


Perez Ford, LB, Northern Illinois
6' 227#
*?/**?
79 solo tackles, 29.5 TFL, 14.5 sacks, 4 FF
188th on PFF
+pass rush
Watch this video; he punished QBs:
He could play Nickel or provide depth at LB. He's fast as hell off the edge. He's built like a tank.

 

Didn't we just signed Max the Dukie wide-out? There another McCaffrey out there other than Max and Christian?

...looks like Heeney will play major minutes at ILB with Smith and hopefully very soon Ball. Good to see that Edwards is at practice. The pass rush could be very, very good given the incumbents plus the young talent on board. That is not even mentioning Aldon Smith.

Hayden 5th year option not picked out. One ridiculously way early draft mock has Trojan corner Adoree Jackson being picked by the Raiders.

 

Hey, guys. I added only three today. We have added like 15 dudes. I'll get more added tomorrow. I'm in a meeting right now, unfortunately.

 

Thanks. Always look forward to your takes on the signees... I like that Perez Ford.

Raider Trivia:
Madden's nickname was "Pinky" as to the color of his face when he gets upset... Apparently he did not care for it too much.

 

Ford was one of two UDFAs we added who pro football reference ranked in the top 250 prospects.

 

T-Rod...this Denver Kirkland? Read his profile. Could be a welcome addition if he cuts it and latches on. Huge...

 

.Marvin Hall, WR, Washington
5'10" 188 (?Source?)
*/**
+Speed
25 receptions, 409 yards, 1 TD
22.3 yards per kick return, 8.8 per punt return
Hall ran a hand-time 4.28 40, and he's definitely a speedster. Not clear that he could offer more than on special teams (and he wasn't Washington's return man, it's worth noting).