Two weeks from today, the first round of the draft will take place. With the biggest names in free agency signed to their respective teams, and no more workouts happening, not much will change between now and then.
What free agency left the Raiders with a simple problem with a difficult answer. The simple problem is their top two needs which are wide receiver and cornerback. The difficult problem is knowing which position to address with their first pick at No. 12 overall.
At both positions, there is a solid consensus as to the top two players. The top two wide receivers are CeeDee Lamb and Jerry Jeudy while the top two cornerbacks are Jeff Okudah and CJ Henderson.
The only one widely expected to be gone by the time the Raiders pick is Okudah. He is widely considered one of the best players in this draft at any position.
It’s possible when the Raiders are on the clock, they could have their choice of Lamb, Jeudy, and Henderson. If that happens, what do they do?
The Raiders have another pick at No. 19, but there’s a pretty good chance that whomever they take, the other two will be gone by the time they pick next.
Opinions are split as to who is the better prospect between Lamb and Jeudy. If the Raiders go with one of them, and Henderson gets picked before their selection at No. 19, there is no consensus on the next best cornerback, but it’s pretty clear there is a drop-off after Henderson.
So, let’s say they go with Henderson. Lamb and Jeudy will almost assuredly be off the board at No. 19. Even Henry Ruggs III could be gone by that point.
The receiver position is deep in this draft, but even with that depth, no one is being placed above Lamb and Jeudy which means it could be more of a risk to miss out on one of them for someone from the cluster of receivers projected to go in the bottom of the first round, but who tend to go in different orders depending on who you ask.
Would it be worth it for the Raiders to grab Henderson to ensure they get one of the top two cornerbacks and go after, say, Justin Jefferson at No. 19? Or if one of either Lamb or Jeudy is there at No. 12, should they just pull the trigger and take the next best corner after Henderson at No. 19?
There is no easy answer. That’s why Mike Mayock is paid the big bucks.
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