Official Las Vegas Raiders Thread

@puffyusaf#2

Highlights:

Ruggs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izSbCA4HO3Q

Arnette
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtL9gpOatN0

Mayock discusses the picks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCWoh4B9sMU

 

3.80 Lynn Bowden RB/WR Kentucky
5'11" 204



An all-around athlete with projected 4.4 speed and experience at WR, RB, QB, KR, and PR.

NFL.com: 6.24 (Good backup who should become starter within first two years)

Comparisons: Randall Cobb, Deebo Samuel

Best Case Scenario: His best case scenario is as a change of pace back who also develops his receiving skills to the point where he can be on the field on all three downs and line up wherever the coaches need him – like a more explosive Jalen Richard. But he also has legit slot chops if he can work on route running. But with his special teams abilities, he could be on the field four downs.

Worst Case Scenario: There are numerous athletes who dabble with QB/WR/RB/Return skills. Okay, so there aren’t a lot, but Denard Robinson is a good example of one who made only a small impact in the NFL. His lack of polish at route running could limit him to slants, screens, and gimmicks. Many teams have struggled to make the most of players like Cordarrelle Patterson.

My take: As a freshman, he led Kentucky in kickoff returns with 869 yards and a 23.5 yard average. As a sophomore, he was the team’s leading receiver, with 67 receptions for 745 yards and 5 TDs and continued to lead the team in returns, with 539 on kickoffs and 146 on punt returns (returned 2 of his 5 attempts for TDs!). And as a Junior, he led his team in rushing with 1400 yards and an 8 yard per carry average. Oh, and he finished up starting as a Wildcat QB. In his last two college games, he rushed for 517 yards and 6 TDs, threw for 77 yards and a TD, and returned a kickoff for 20 yards. He’s not just absurdly versatile and a fantastic athlete. He will do whatever the team needs, plays 100%, and you have to believe in a guy like that.

Need: Moderate (because it's not clear what role he's filling)
Fit: Moderate
Ability: Strong

Grade: B-

 

3.81 Bryan Edwards WR South Carolina
6’3” 212



Big-bodied WR with some physicality and Punt Return ability but an injury history.

NFL.com: 6.34 (Will be starter within first two years)

Comparisons: David Terrell, Corey Davis, Marcell Ateman

Best Case Scenario: He develops his route running and focuses on catching with his hands and becomes a strong WR2. He’s someone who can develop into a punishing blocker and benefit others around him.

Worst Case Scenario: With a knee injury in the past and not great agility, Edwards could join a legion of big wide receivers who make little impact, like Marcell Ateman.

My take: PFF has him as the ninth best product at WR since 2015, and he plays with a tenacity you love to see. The Raiders suddenly have a lot of weapons in the receiving game, and Edwards could step into the role of field stretcher who works between the hashes. More importantly, he should be a goal line weapon in the passing game. He may take a year or two to get where he’s going, but Edwards looks like a good grab. His floor and ceiling are both relatively high – rotational WR to WR2.

Need: Moderate (now that Ruggs has joined)
Fit: Moderate to Strong
Ability: Moderate to Strong

Grade: B

 

3.91 Draft Pick
This pick, along with the #159 pick have been traded to the Patriots for…#100, #139, #172
On the Harvard sheet, the Raiders gave up:
91: 110.95
159: 63.24
174.19

They received:
100: 102.89
139: 74.73
172: 56.52
233.4

Grade: A+

 

3.100 Tanner Muse S/LB Clemson
6'2" 227


College Safety who is likely a special teamer and cover linebacker in the NFL.
NFL.com: 5.80 (Backup/Special Teamer)

Comparisons: Nathan Gerry

Best Case Scenario: Muse is 20 pounds heavier than Jalen Ramsey but ran as fast in the 40. He’s heavier than Nathan Gerry but ran faster. Muse is not going to cover like Ramsey, but he could transition to an excellent cover linebacker who bodies up on Tight Ends and sticks in the run game.

Worst Case Scenario: He does not have the agility to cover at Safety, and he is not yet quite big enough for full time LB duties. So his immediate role is as a special teamer. If he cannot develop beyond that, that is not a good third round choice.

My take: This feels like a Hunter Renfrow pick. PFF has him as the best graded player on Clemson’s defense, as the best-graded run defending safety, and as the fourth-best box safety in college last season. He notched 39 starts, 191 total tackles, 10 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 7 INTs, 14 passes defended, and scored a TD. His 4.41 at 227 pounds is in the 99th percentile for speed scores. He may have been available later, but no one called Renfrow a bad selection by season's end. Nor did anyone consider Crosby a bad choice, and Muse is selected six spots ahead of Crosby. This one could take a year or two to pan out, but it might just do that.

Need: Moderate (at LB)
Fit: Strong
Ability: Moderate to Strong

Grade: C+

 

Edwards could end up being a replacement for Williams down the line...

 

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

John Simpson G Clemson
6'4" 321


Big Guard who might be able to play LT or C. Depth OL with lots of experience.
NFL.com: 6.35 (will be a starter within first season or two)

Comparison: Kelechi Osemele, Laken Tomlinson

Best Case Scenario: Simpson develops athletically, opens up his hips a bit, keeps down the penalties, and fill out into a starting OL.

Worst Case Scenario: Lack of mobility, grabbiness, and lack of pass protection versatility keep him a career backup.

My Take: His limitations seem related to giving up on plays too soon. Other than that, he looked solid in the first half vs. Ohio State. Another player who likely would have been available later, but he seems like a legit talent who's at worst OL depth.

Need: Moderate
Fit: Moderate
Ability: Moderate

Grade: D+

 

Amik Robertson CB Louisiana Tech
5'8" 187



Undersized CB who conjures images of Tyrann Mathieu.
NFL.com: 6.20 (good backup who could become starter)

Comparison: Tavon Young

Best Case Scenario: Robertson plays inside Corner, drills people in the run game, and makes timely plays for years.

Worst Case Scenario: Lack of size hurt him, limiting him to Nickel at most. He could probably also contribute on special teams.

My Take: PFF had him graded first or second in basically every pass situation for CBs. Production is monstrous: 34 passes defende, 14 INTs, 3 TDs in three seasons. He destroys people despite his size, and he has a knack for the big play.

Need: Moderate to Strong
Fit: Moderate to Strong
Ability: Strong

Grade: B

 

So far, write-ups have us adding a pair of corners with "dog" in them...

I wanted Joshua Kelley to pair with Jacobs in our running back position.

 

UDFAs
Remember - these guys don't often make the roster, but there are some rare gems. Richard and Ingram were both UDFAs.

Javin White LB UNLV
6'3" 205
Production: 18 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 9 INTs, 15 passes defended
Take: Fiery competitor, good game speed, hammers people
Role: Special teamer, but he could play LB in cover situations

Mike Panasiuk DL Michigan State
6'4" 300
Production: 19 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 2 INTs
Take: Looks effective on slants but not much range
Role: 3-technique with strength vs. run

George Mariner WR Utah State
6'2" 195
Production: 80 receptions, 1196 yards, 11 TDs
Take: Gets deep despite great speed; makes amazing catches; not physical except in going for the ball
Role: Would have to contribute on special teams and would do best as a rotational WR

Dominik Eberle K Utah State
6'2" 190
Production: Made all 167 PATs, improved FG% every season: 60% to 75% to 79% to 88%.
Take: Strong leg (hit 4 of 7 from 50+ in his career), struggled a bit in 40-49 yarders
Role: Could push for a spot. Carlson is only average.

Liam McCullough LS Ohio State
6'2" 237
Production:
Take: Incomplete
Role:

Madre Harper CB Southern Illinois
6'2" 190
Production: 12 pass breakups and 2 INTs as a senior
Take: Excellent athlete; needs a ton of practice reps; discipline history
Role: Practice Squad project

Nick Bowers TE Penn State
6'4" 260
Production: 17 receptions, 279 yards, 5 TDs
Take: Hard to get a read on him with limited receiving production
Role: Blocking TE

 

Positional Check In: Where we Drafted

Cornerback
All the new guys have to do is be better than Nick Nelson or Nevin Lawson. I think at least one of them can do that - and that's Arnette. And Robertson can grow into the Nickel and displace Joyner in his role eventually. After a disappointing start, missing out on Eli Apple and losing Daryl Worley, this spot should be deeper than it's been in years, with probably six respectable options: Mullen, Nelson, Lawson, Johnson, Robertson, and Arnette.

Linebacker
The Raiders already revamped this spot in Free Agency and they add Tanner Muse who could grow into a coverage LB. With Morrow and Lee returning, the pressure is low for Muse. He can contribute on special teams and develop through somewhat consistent reps. Javin White could develop into this group, too. This should be the best LB corps the Raiders have seen in ages.

Wide Receiver
Ruggs moves to WR1; he's already being projected as a top 60 WR, which would be better than anyone on roster last season. Tyrell Williams should be recovered and a solid WR2. Renfrow and Edwards will duke it out for WR3. And really if it's Agholor, Ateman, Jones, or Doss who makes it as WR5, it's a much improved position for Las Vegas.

Offensive Line
I'm not convinced John Simpson is going to stick on the roster, but fortunately the position looks in good hands for one or two more years, so he has time to develop. With Hudson, Jackson, Incognito, Brown, and Miller starting, it's a cohesive and effective unit. It's time to see what Sharpe and Parker have to offer, and there's hope some other young players will develop (Cotton and James).

Running Back
Josh Jacobs did it all last year - including suffer injury. When everyone is healthy, it's a devastating combo of a good fullback in Ingold, a good third down back in Richard, and an elite starter in Jacobs. Bowden adds an explosive back who can spell Jacobs and Richard for a series every game, which should add wrinkles and give Jacobs the breather he needs to finish strong. This is maybe my favorite pick of the draft.

 

Compiled a bunch of sites' draft grades. Here are some takes, sorted by pick.

1.12 Ruggs
Low: D
High: A
Mean: B-
Median: C+
Consensus: B-

1.19 Arnette
Low: F
High: B
Mean: D-
Median: D
Consensus: D

3.80 Bowden
Low: D+
High: B+
Mean: C+
Median: C+
Consensus: C+

3.81 Edwards
Low: D
High: A
Mean: B
Median: B
Consensus: B

3.100 Muse
Low: D
High: B
Mean: C/C+
Median: C+
Consensus: C+

4.109 Simpson
Low: C
High: B+
Mean: B+
Median: B+
Consensus: B+

4.139 Robertson
Low: B
High: A+
Mean: A
Median: A
Consensus: A

Simple GPA: B-
Weighted GPA: C+/B-

I think people are envisioning Bowden as a WR sometimes when they grade him. I think that's a mistake.

 

^
- Bowden was listed as a RB per Mayock.
- Simpson was First Team All-America as a senior but could be a worthwhile project to develop.
- Parker scares the hell out of me when he is on the field for us.
- agree on Robertson as future nickel.
- I did not see Worley being signed by anyone.
- TBH I really wanted Lamb or Jeudy hoping Ruggs is not a one-trick straight line pony.

 

^ They are really panning the Arnette pick hard. Robertson getting more love.

 

You know, Worley is still listed as a Free Agent. Maybe he's waiting on tender from the Raiders? I'm not sure.

 

I understand why with Arnette. He looked way better on the field than he did at the Combine though.

 

Deep dive on Damon Arnette. I spent a couple hours reading scouting reports and watching tape.


Pros: Disruprive corner with good awareness, some versatility, good size. Arnette is willing to support in the run game, possess quick feet, excels with ball skills and press coverage. Good body control, strength, click and close.

Cons: Lacks top end speed necessary to run with deep routes in the NFL, struggles with change of direction, so will allow separation at the next level, so he gets turned around. Though willing in the run game, his results have been very mixed. Short armed, grabby, and lacks high end athleticism.

Comparisons:
Darius Slay (7 yrs, 103 G, 94 starts, 46 AV, 3 PB, 1 AP)
Kyle Fuller (5 yrs, 80 G, 78 Starts, 42 AV, 2 PB, 1 AP)
Marlon Humphrey (3 yrs, 46 g, 28 starts, 20 AV, 1 PB, 1 AP)
Darryl Roberts (4 yrs, 56 G, 26 starts, 11 AV)
Jourdan Lewis (3 yrs, 46 G, 13 starts, 9 AV)
Sidney Jones (3 yrs 22 G, 8 starts, 4 AV)
-All of these players have become starters. Half of them have made at least one Pro Bowl, and three of them are All Pros.

Ceiling: Arnette has the chops to become a plus starter at CB, but he may need a very good supporting cast to make it to the Pro Bowl.

Floor: He's at least a good backup, but he's likely an early starter in the NFL.

Projected Round: 1, 1-3, 2, 2-3

Maybe he was a reach in round 1, but he's likely to be a starter by season's end. His upside is someone you can pencil in for years and not have to worry about. That's a good get for a first rounder.

 

Steve Smith Sr. on NFL TV picked Bowden as the receiver that will make the most impact among all rookies of that position... Praised his versatility and how Gruden will use it creatively.

 

Deep Dive on Henry Ruggs III

Pros: Elite and explosive speed; quick release; great speed into and out of breaks; tracks ball well; soft, strong hands; tought and competitive; willing to block; goes after the ball; returner or gunner on special teams

Cons: Struggles vs. size and physicality; slight frame and lack of bulk; not an elite route runner; small catch radius (but not relative to size); release lacks ideal strength and footwork

Comparisons:
DeSean Jackson (12 years, 156 G, 149 Starts, 598-10,420-55; 91 career AV, 3 PBs)
Tyreek Hill (4 years, 59 G, 42 Starts, 281-4115-32; 50 career AV, 4 PB, 2 AP)
Ted Ginn Jr. (13 years, 187 G, 83 starts, 409-5,702-33, and 15,600 APY, 65 AV)
Will fuller (4 years, 42 G, 41 starts, 156-2231-16, 19 AV)
Emmanuel sanders (10 years, 144 G, 104 starts, 601-7,893-42, 66 AV, 2 PB)
-Three of these guys made the Pro Bowl. Fuller is an impact receiver when he's on the field. Ginn has carved out a solid career, and his all-purpose work is impressive.

Ceiling: One of the most dangerous WRs in the NFL, but Ruggs could be limited by size to relatively few touches.

Floor: Year 1 quality starter in the slot or at Z.

Projected Round: First rounder, clear top 25 pick

It's probably wrong to think of Ruggs as the next Tim Brown, but he might carve out a role bigger than any other speedster WRs the Raiders have drafted - and those are numerous. Ruggs may catch a moderate number of balls, but he should lead the team in receiving scores for the next five seasons on this rookie deal.