2019 Oakland Raiders Discussion

Josh Jacobs
His NFL comparisons, in their rookie years:
942 yards, 4 TD; 13-98-0
931 yards, 6 TD; 7-50-0
1327 yards, 8 TD; 53-455-3
Averages: 1070 yards, 6 TD; 24 receptions, 201 yards, 1 TD

Nice prospect breakdown: https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/5-play-prospect-rb-joshua-jacobs

 

Johnathan Abram
I had him as not a first rounder but a very draftworthy player. Second rounder would have been easier to stomach; they have guys who struggle in coverage already, and they have hitters already. Why not snag a top cover guy? Maybe Murphy or Williams is coming in round 2.


Flies to the ball (4.41 speed), pounds people.

Some classic lines here https://thedraftnetwork.com/player/johnathan-abram

"This man would sooner put you in the hospital than put the ball in the end zone. Abram plays a certifiable crazy brand of football, showing outstanding physicality and competitive toughness regardless of where he lines up."

"Johnathan Abram fits the mold of a traditional strong safety, he's a booming hitter with an impressive resume as a run defender in the box."

 

Clelin Ferrell
Need: The Raiders have a massive need on the defensive front, especially on the Edge. Ferrell checks that box.
Fit: He's a legit 4-3 DE, and he can play the run as well as rush the passer.
Player: There were better edge rushers (Josh Allen) and more explosive DEs (Ed Oliver) available, but Ferrell is a solid edge setter.

His top comparisons are Derrick Morgan (0, 5, 6 AV first three seasons, developed into a consistent rush threat), Chandler Jones (6, 10, 6 AV first three seasons, developed into a Pro Bowler and All-Pro with big time sack ability), Vinny Curry (1, 2, 2 AV first three years, late bloomer with only one solid season to his credit), and Olivier Vernon (2, 8, 7 AV first three years, a strong sack guy who was a Pro Bowler last season).
Overall: B

Josh Jacobs
Need: No Lynch, no top RB. Raiders desperately need a guy who can be on the field the first two downs. The fact that he doesn't need to come off on third is a bonus.
Fit: Jacobs is a beast. He can run, he can catch, and he can block. He's also fresh - he didn't get run into the ground in college. He breaks tackles and punishes people, but he also has good hands and decent route running abilities.
Player: He was probably the best RB in the draft, and while there are some interesting alternatives to him, they mostly aren't three down backs. Comparisons are Sony Michel, Frank Gore, Alvin Kamara, and Cedric Benson. Those players average about 2 Pro Bowls, despite the fact taht some of them haven't been in the league long. Rookie averages of 900 yards and 5 TDs is a nice place to start.

Upside: 1500 yards and 10 scores.
Overall: A

Johnathan Abram
Need: He may be a nickel back, as he has great versatility. I thought the Raiders need coverage rather than run support from their secondary. I don't think this is a position of greatest need.
Fit: His versatility helps, but if you're adding a DB, why not add a cover guy?
Player: Should be a starter right away, but his comparisons are Kurt Coleman - a fine, adequate player who posted 2, 6, 5 AV in his first three seasons and DJ Swearinger - another adequate player with 4, 6, 2 AV in his first three seasons. Both developed into good but not great DBs.
Overall: C+

 

More First Round Stuff

Ferrell
What he is: first day starter
What he could be: good against the run and against the pass, slot him in for the next eight or twelve years.

Video


Production
44 career games, 50.5 tackles for loss, 27 sacks, 5 PD, 5 FF, 1 FR, 1 TD

Josh Jacobs
What he is: first day starter
What he could be: good three-down RB, cornerstone on offense

Video


Production
Career 5.9 yards per carry, 2062 yards from scrimmage, 21 TDs - including 14 on 140 touches as a Junior. Also returned 18 career kickoffs for 28.6 average. Scored a TD on a punt and kick return.

Johnathan Abram
What he is: special team ace, run stuffer
What he could be: really depends what his coverage game looks like - nickel or possible roving LB

Video


Production
15.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 2 INTs, 3 FF, countless absurd hits. He's just a bad dude.

 

I noted these areas of Greatest Need...

RB: Jacobs is a big lift here, probably raising the position to at least a 10/15 (D+) single-handedly.
Edge: Ferrell isn't quite the player Quinnen is, but he's at least an 8 in his first year, which raises that position to 13.5 (still an F, but I expect growth from Key).
Not sure the Raiders have touched CB or LB at this point, unless Abram ends up playing some LB - and he could.

Check.
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Check.

Not bad. Let's see - Irv Smith and a couple good D backs are still out there, and the Raiders have a pick coming up soon. There are also some LB options (but I'm hoping we don't go for Polite - dude seemed crazy).

 

We got another DB, y'all.

Trayvon Mullen. Clemson.

 

Trayvon Mullen

Need: Yep. Absolutely.

Fit: He has good height, is a press corner by trade, and played against big time competition.

Player: I'm not sure he's the best cover corner available, but he's not afraid to hit (unlike, perhaps, Greedy). He's solid value here, as he was mocked in the late first to early second typically.

Comparisons: Kevin Johnson (5, 2, 2 AV in first three seasons), 1 INT in 35 games and 18 starts. Stephon Gilmore (5, 4, 6 AV first three seasons), then developed into a Pro-Bowler and All-Pro through seven seasons.

Grade: B

Video:

 

So, MLB and TE are the biggest positions of need left. Not bad, gents.

 

It appears that it is all about "character" with the picks to go along with the talent... Ferrell and Jacobs appear to be both upstanding young people. The former was raised among a military family, the former endured hardship like not having a place to stay and living in a car. Both played in big games so pressure should be nothing to them.

I get your concern about needing defensive backs that can cover. I am fairly confident in Conley, Worley, Joyner et all. I like the depth now with Mullen on board. Moot of course if we can't get to the QB but hopefully Ferrell can do work and Key improves.

Caleb Wilson...

 

Maxx Crosby - high ceiling project. He needs to add bulk, for sure, but he's fast and dominated the MAC. Edge player, Eastern Michigan.

 

Raiders trade the 109th pick for 129 and 135, I believe. That's great value.

 

Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston.

Raiders trade back again...let's see what's going on.

 

It looks like the Raiders trade the 135th to Atlanta for the 137th and 230th. But I'm not sure on that.

Oakland has 137th, 158th, 218th, and 230th picks remaining.

 

Johnson is a converted WR. He's fast. 4.4 fast.

NFL Comparisons:
Akhello Witherspoon - 21 starts in two seasons, 3 and 4 AV.
Howard Wilson - hasn't made an impact in the NFL.

 

Foster Moreau - TE - LSU
Mostly a blocker, but he sounds like a quality dude.

 

...so we have Waller, Smith, Wilson and now Moreau?

 

Gruden loves the two TE set.

 

Hunter Renfrow...2019 starting slot receiver?