How is everyone feeling? Hopefully not too many hangovers from the wild first day of the draft. As expected, the Raiders went after their biggest need in the first round, nabbing Alabama offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood.
Mike Mayock made it clear they see him as a day one starter at right tackle, so one box on the list of needs is checked.
Today is Day 2 of the draft with the Raiders currently owning three picks — one in the second (48) and two in the third (79 and 80).
They could fill a few more needs on the team today and there is some great talent out there with which to do it. Their final pick of the day is 48 picks away, but they don’t have major needs at every position, so I’ve made it a nice round number.
Here are the top 15 Day 2 fits for the Raiders:
1. Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
As the best safety in this draft, he doesn’t figure to be on the board very long. In fact, I wouldn’t be all that surprised if he was the first player taken by the Jaguars at 33. If the Raiders want him, they would probably have to either trade up or hope a miracle happens and he is there when they pick at 48.
2. Asante Samuel Jr, CB, Florida State
Many think despite his 5-10 stature, he is talented enough to play outside corner in the NFL. But as a nickel corner, he would easily be the best in this draft. With NFL bloodlines, four interceptions and 35 pass breakups over three seasons with the Seminoles along with a blazing fast 4.38 40, he will be tops on many boards.
3. Richie Grant, S, Central Florida
Grant is widely seen as the second-best free safety in this draft behind Moehrig. And the gap isn’t wide. Grant would be a perfect fit as a single high free safety in Gus Bradley’s defense.
4. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Probably the best player still on the board at any position, JOK was expected to go in the mid to late first round and somehow slipped out of the first. In fact, he was the second most picked player by the Raiders at 17 in our most recent mock draft database. I don’t expect he’ll be on the board long, but if he made it to 48, he could be too intriguing to pass up.
5. Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU
Probably the best X receiver in this draft. Marshall won’t last through the second round. The 6-2, 205-pounder caught 23 touchdowns over the past 19 games for the Tigers and runs a 4.4 40.
6. Elijah Molden, CB, Washington
Another second-generation cornerback like Samuel Jr. And if Samuel is seen as an outside corner, then the title of the best nickel corner would go to Molden. If they want him at 48, he could very well be there. If he were still there heading into the third round, making a move for him wouldn’t be the worst idea. He would be a steal should he be there when they pick at 79 in the third round.
7. Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State
Though the Raiders may be set at guard at the moment, they won’t be for long. Richie Incognito figures to be in his final NFL season, so it would be wise to get a guard for depth now and to start by next season. With Davis, they would land the second-best guard in this draft. The other was Alijah Vera-Tucker who the Jets traded up to get in the first round. Davis would be a sound pick at 48 and a great pick if he made it to the third.
8. Aaron Robinson, CB, Central Florida
There isn’t a big gap between Molden and Robinson in terms of nickel corners in this draft. Which is one reason why they might not feel the need to jump up and get either of them, but see if one falls to them in the third. But with their need at the position, waiting may not be wise. There is a bit of a dropoff at the position after Robinson.
9. Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
One of the best coverage linebackers in this draft. That’s just what the Raiders need. I love him as one of their third-round picks.
10. Jackson Carman, OL, Clemson
A college tackle who figures to play guard at the NFL level. And, of course, he played at Clemson which is always intriguing to the Raiders.
11. Trey Smith, G, Tennessee
A two-time first-team All-SEC performer and second-team All-American at left guard for the Volunteers. Pretty easy to see him slipping right into the starting left guard job as the heir apparent to Richie Incognito.
12. Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse
If the Raiders go with another position to fill at 48, Cisco would be a great get in the third round. A second-team All-American as a freshman and put up 13 interceptions and 29 pass breakups in 22 starts for the Orangemen.
13. Alim McNeil, DT, NC State
My favorite lane clogging one-tech in this draft. He would rotate well in the middle with Johnathan Hankins with upside to take over as the starter in the near future.
14. Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State
Togiai is intriguing because he’s already a run-stopping tackle, but showed some potential to add some pass rush as well last season, putting up three sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in seven games.
15. Rashad Weaver, ED, Pitt
There’s a chance Weaver could still be on the board in the fourth round, but if the Raiders don’t feel he will make it to 121 and want to ensure they get one of the better edge-rushing prospects in this draft, getting him in the third wouldn’t surprise me. Especially if they address safety and nickel corner with the other two picks and thus filling their three most urgent needs.
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