We are less than a week into free agency and it’s fair to wonder just what the plan is for this team under Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden. They’ve publically discussed putting more money into their defense (rather than the offensive line) this offseason.
While they’ve done that to a degree, they still spent $11 million (guaranteed) on a backup running back in Kenyan Drake, despite drafting Josh Jacobs in the first round in 2019.
If we learned one thing from Gruden/Mayock during their time with the Raiders is that they love big-school players, specifically, Alabama. That is why we can’t rule out any Crimson Tide player in Round 1.
In a recent mock draft by Josh Edwards of CBS Sports, he has the Raiders selecting Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith at No. 17. Here are his thoughts on the potential selection:
“Tyrell Williams and Nelson Agholor are gone so that clears a path for the team to add another wide receiver like Smith. Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden are drawn toward college football’s elite programs such as Ohio State, Clemson and Alabama. For the second consecutive year, a Crimson Tide pass-catcher joins the Raiders.”
If Smith fell to the Raiders at No. 17, it would be hard to envision Mayock and Gruden passing on him. Still, it feels far more likely that the team will use that pick to invest in their offensive line, specifically at right tackle.
However, given his Alabama pedigree and the team’s need to improve at receiver, it’s impossible to rule our Smith yet as a possible pick in the first round.
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