2019 Oakland Raiders Discussion

Updating Some Current vs. Potential Ratings

*Roster Body
**Special Teamer/Role Player
***Spot Starter/Specialist
****Adequate Starter
*****Quality Starter
******Excellent Starter
*******Game Changer

Amari Cooper ****/******
Mario Edwards **/**** (Run Stop ++)
Clive Walford */***? (Receiving + / Blocking -)
John Feliciano */***? (Pass Blocking ++)
Ben Heeney **/***? (Tackling --)
Neiron Ball **/***? (Coverage +)
Max Valles */**** (Pass Rush ++)
Anthony Morris */**
Andre Debose **/*** (Returns ++)
Dexter McDonald */***? (Coverage +)

Josh Harper */**?

 

UDFA Added...
Gabe Holmes, TE, Purdue */**
Injuries have bothered him.

 

Harper...Bell...Shirley...Hall.

 

We got a solid overall "A" grade from the site. K.C. got a B+ right behind us...

 

I'm working on an in depth Draft Recap. I'll post it soon enough.

 

Oakland Raiders Draft Recap (2015)


THE SELECTIONS

4. Amari Cooper - WR, Alabama
35. Mario Edwards - DL, Florida State
68. Clive Walford - TE, Miami
128. John Feliciano - OL, Miami
140. Ben Heeney - ILB, Kansas
161. Neiron Ball - OLB, Florida
179. Max Valles - OLB, Virginia
218. Anthony Morris - OL, Tennessee State
221. Andre Debose - WR, Florida
242. Dexter McDonald - CB, Kansas


ROUND ONE / SELECTION 4

Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

6'1, 211 pounds (Combine)

Current Status: **** (Adequate Starter)

Potential: ****** (Excellent Starter)

Plus/Minus: Plus Readiness, Plus Hands

Stats (Sports-Reference.com): Capped an impressive three-season career at Alabama with 124 receptions, 1727 yards, and 16 Touchdowns receiving. Finished with 228 receptions (third in SEC history), 3463 yards (second in SEC history), and 31 Touchdowns (SEC record).What he is: An NFL Receiver, probably already better than any on Oakland's roster, and certainly the best WR on Oakland by season's end. Some see him as the best draft pick, many see him as the safest pick in the draft. What he could be: When people suggest more upside than Sammy Watkins, future pro-bowl caliber, and possibly Marvin Harrison, we should all pay attention. Probably the best WR in Oakland since Tim Brown.

ROUND TWO / SELECTION 35

Mario Edwards, Jr., DT, Florida State

6'3, 279 pounds (Combine)

Current Status: ** (Role Player/Run Stopper)

Potential: **** (Adequate Starter)

Plus/Minus: Plus Plus Run Stuff

Stats (Sports-Reference.com): Two-year starter, posted 44 solo tackles, 20.5 for loss, 6.5 sacks, 5 passes defended, and 3 forced fumbles over those last two seasons at FSU. What he is: As a Defense End, he is a run stopper who could see decent playing time as a rookie. What he could be: He could already be a better option than CJ Wilson, but his upside is definitely higher. He could be a run stuffer from the edge who puts constant pressure on the pocket, too.

ROUND THREE / SELECTION 68

Clive Walford, TE, Miami

6'4, 251 pounds (Pro Day)

Current Status: *** (Spot Starter)

Potential: ***? (Second TE/Adequate Starter)

Plus/Minus: Plus Receiving, Minus Blocking

Stats (Sports-Reference.com): Played in 36 games in college. Improved each season, to finish with 44 receptions for 676 yards and 7 TDs. What he is: A receiving TE who needs to work on his blocking. He will be a difficult cover in the NFL for DBs because of his size. What he could be: Some have suggested he could be a 65-reception TE, others see him as a better player than fantasy option, but Prediction Machine loves him, seeing him as an immediate starter and upgrade over Mychal Rivera. He could be the receiving threat at TE the Raiders have lacked for years.

ROUND FOUR / SELECTION 128

John Feliciano, OG, Miami

6'4, 323 pounds (Pro Day)

Current Status: * (Special Teams)

Potential: *** (Spot Starter)

Plus/Minus: Plus Run Blocking

Stats (Sports-Reference.com): Played in 36 games in college. Started 10 games as a Senior. What he is: A pretty massive guy who does not move all that well. His versatility – at Guard and Right Tackle – is his strong suit at present. What he could be: Some people see something they really like in him. He was apparently impressive at the East-West Game. Notably Mike Mayock liked him. He could become a rotation player or a spot starter. This is the most confusing pick from the Raiders.

ROUND FIVE / SELECTION 140

Ben Heeney , ILB, Kansas

6', 231 pounds (Combine)

Current Status: ** (Special Teams)

Potential: ***? (Spot Starter/Quality Starter)

Plus/Minus: Minus Minus Tackling

Stats (Sports-Reference.com): Picked up 12 TFL as a senior. He totaled 327 tackles over the last three seasons (213 solo), 4.5 sacks, 35 tackles for loss, 4 INTs for 71 yards, 5 passes defended, and 3 Forced Fumbles. Top 15 career Big 12 in Solo Tackles, Assisted Tackles, Total Tackles, and Tackles for Loss. What he is: A maniac on the field. Totally blew away “unathletic” label at the Combine with a 4.59 40, 6.68 3-Cone Drill, 4.00 20-Yard Shuttle, and 11.06 60-Yard Shuttle. He missed more tackles than anyone in the NCAA last year, so he has to get that under control. Consider what one scout said, “Plays pissed off with a chip and violent, competitive nature.” What is he? A Raider. What he could be: Prediction Machine has Heeney as the fourth best ILB in the draft, with a rating of 7.9, meaning he could step in today and be an upgrade over a replacement player. He could be a heart and soul of the defense kind of guy in the future, someone who wins with dogged effort.

ROUND FIVE / SELECTION 161

Neiron Ball , OLB, Florida

6'2, 236 pounds (Pro Day)

Current Status: ** (Special Teams)

Potential: ***? (Spot Starter/Quality Starter)

Plus/Minus: Plus Coverage, Outside Rush

Stats (Sports-Reference.com):

Ball played four seasons over five years, totaling 45 games played. He improved each season, finishing with 49 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 sacks, and a forced fumble in 9 games as a Senior. What he is: A mentally tough player who battles, has overcome the deaths of his parents, brain surgery, and microfracture surgery on his knee. He is ideally suited to start off on special teams as long as his knee is in good shape (Microfracture surgery was in November).

What he could be: Advanced metrics are pretty kind to Ball. Prediction Machine shows him as the 36th rated OLB. NFL.com had him significantly lower. His speed and tenacity could make him an excellent outside rusher in the future.

ROUND SIX / SELECTION 179

Max Valles , OLB, Virginia

6'5, 251 pounds (Pro Day)

Current Status: * (Roster Body)

Potential: **** (Quality Starter/Excellent Outside Rusher)

Plus/Minus: Plus Plus Pass Rush

Stats (Sports-Reference.com):

Valles played only two seasons in college, was the youngest player in the draft at 19. He had a solid Freshman season with 23 tackles, 5.5 for loss, and 4.0 sacks. He went ballistic in season two with 55 tackles, 12.5 for loss, 9.0 sacks, 8 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, and an INT (which he returned for a TD). One scout called him a backup “if things don't click,” but if they do, “Look out, buddy.” What he is: Very raw, awesome athlete, with a 4.83 40, 121” broad jump, and a vertical of 36.5”. Hopefully he is willing to wreak havoc on special teams for the present. He will earn himself PT if so.

What he could be: Advanced metrics are very kind to Valles. Prediction Machine shows Valles as the third best OLB coming out of college, with a rating of 8.3, meaning he is already starting material. This could be Oakland's best draft pick, and they may have picked up a player who approaches double digit sack numbers in the future.

ROUND SEVEN / SELECTION 218

Anthony Morris , OT, Tennessee State

6'6, 290 pounds (Pro Day)

Current Status: * (Roster Body)

Potential: ** (Role Player)

Plus/Minus: Unknown

Stats (Sports-Reference.com):

Morris comes from a small school, and he never played against IA talent. He didn't receive much mention after his Pro Day. Was a starter at Tackle, can likely play multiple positions on the line.
What he is: Big offensive lineman, seems strong, and seems like he will need time and some good fortune to develop.

What he could be: He's a project, but given that Oakland wants to go up-tempo, his versatility could earn him a roster spot and eventually a position in the offensive line rotation.

ROUND SEVEN / SELECTION 221

Andre Debose, WR, Florida

6', 190 pounds (Gators Pro Day)

Current Status: ** (Special Teams - Returner)

Potential: ***? (Rotation Player/Adequate Starter)

Plus/Minus: Plus Plus Returns

Stats (Sports-Reference.com):

Played in 42 games at Florida. He averaged 26.7 yards on 79 career kickoff returns, taking 4 back for Touchdowns and tying the SEC record for KOR for TDs. He averaged 12.4 yards on 34 punt returns, taking 1 back for a score. He also caught 30 passes in his career, totaling 540 yards (18.0 per reception) and 4 Touchdowns. He has run the 40 in 4.38 (reportedly) to 4.44 (slower time at Gators Pro Day). Walter Football had him as the 38th ranked WR in the draft.
What he is: A fast, strong athlete. His size, speed, and return acumen make him a good candidate to bolster Oakland's improving (but still unimpressive) return corps. He will have every opportunity to impress in the return game and earn a spot.

What he could be: Mike Mayock called his upside, “scary.” He was thought to be the next coming of Percy Harvin at UF. He could become a field stretching WR, but he has so much work to do.

ROUND SEVEN / SELECTION 242

Dexter McDonald, CB, Kansas

6'1, 200 pounds

Current Status: * (Roster Body)

Potential: *** (Spot Starter)

Plus/Minus: Plus Coverage

Stats (Sports-Reference.com):

Played in 31 games at Kansas. Over his final two seasons he picked off four passes, forced a fumble, defended 23 passes, and picked up 65 total tackles in 24 games. Ran a 4.42 40 (of course). Needs to step it up against the run, lay off the interference calls. Draft Insider ranked him 50th among CBs. Optimum Scouting had him 38th among CBs.
What he is: A fast, excellent athlete. His size and speed makes him fascinating as a Special Teamer if his heart is in it.

What he could be: A Nickel, primarily for press coverage where he could be opportunistic. His size makes him intriguing going forward.​

 

Raiders releasing James Jones.

 

^...and Miles Burris. The youth movement is on.

 

Very interesting. Wonder if they're shedding salary to take on something...they just saved $3.4 from Jones and $1.5 from Burris.

 

OL Kevin Boothe to be released...

 

Yup. The one year retooling is over. We're younger and better.

 

R.I.P. Marv Hubbard... No doubt running the power sweep with Upshaw and Otto somewhere.

 

Rumors are Raiders are one of three teams with an interest in signing La'el Collins. Supposing he's cleared in the death of his GF, he would be a huge addition to the OL.

 

Reports that Carr breaks finger...will miss OTA's but will be ready for camp.

 

On his throwing hand...

 

^Crap-ola... It puts him behind establishing chemistry with the wide-outs and whatever the new offense is. Hopefully it is NOTHING to serious.

 

As long as Carr is ready for training camp, then it is all good.

 

Ex-Raider DL Antonio Smith being investigated for child abuse? Could be why he was cut loose inspite of being fairly productive.

 

Debose out with Achilles injury... Trinton Holliday signed.