If you believe the mock drafts, the Raiders are expected to draft a wide receiver with the No. 12 pick and then follow it up with a cornerback at pick No. 19. However, predicting which receiver may be picked by the Raiders is much easier than guessing who the team could snag at cornerback.
Players such as A.J. Terrell, Trevon Diggs and Jaylon Johnson have all been mentioned as possibilities for the Raiders at No. 19. But one name that shouldn’t be left out is TCU’s Jeff Gladney.
While Gladney doesn’t have the size of the other names mentioned above, there weren’t many cornerbacks better than him last season. Over the last two years, Gladney allowed only 54 receptions and four touchdowns in the Big 12, despite facing the likes of CeeDee Lamb, Collin Johnson and Hakeem Butler.
In Luke Easterling’s latest mock draft at the Draft Wire, he had the Raiders selecting Gladney at pick No. 19 after the team grabbed Jerry Jeudy earlier in the round. Take a look at Easterling’s thoughts on Gladney and his fit with the Raiders:
The Raiders addressed their need at linebacker in free agency, so after filling their biggest offensive need with Jeudy at No. 12, they have to find a blue-chip corner with this pick. Gladney may not have the size of other top corners in this class, but he more than makes up for it with physicality, instincts, intelligence and ball skills.
Gladney is the ideal No. 2 cornerback in the NFL as he has the ability to play outside and in the slot. He wins with quick feet and being supremely confident in himself. If the Raiders are looking to add more athleticism and swagger to their defense, Gladney would be the ideal fit. Keep a close eye on Gladney as he could also be a target in a trade-back scenario for the Raiders.
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