Raiders NFL Draft Big Board Nine options

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Jon Gruden spent free agency bringing in aging veterans with the aim of plugging the Raiders' many holes. Now, their attention turns to the draft.When the lured , the biggest question being raised didn't pertain to his offensive system, play-calling or his ability to develop into a superstar quarterback; the biggest question was about Gruden's ability to build a talented-enough roster through the draft and free agency.In mere hours, . It hasn't been but Gruden's not yet done. With one great draft cla s, he can turn the tide. With that in mind, let's take a look at how the Raiders' draft board should be shaping up with two weeks left in the proce s. As it stands, they're situated at No. 10 in the draft order after . All signs point to them using that pick to get some much-needed defensive help. A year ago, the Raiders ranked 23rd in yards allowed, 20th in points allowed, and One of their only strengths is in the pa s-rushing department considering they have edge rushers and , but those two guys need capable players around them for the Raiders' defense to become competent. They could use help at pretty much every area, but especially at Jon Berti Jersey linebacker, defensive tackle, and cornerback. Safety shouldn't be considered an area of need after the Raiders took in the second round last year and in the first round two years ago.At No. 10, the Raiders should take the best player available among those positions groups. That's why , the inside linebacker out of , should be at the top of the Raiders' wish list. Smith appears to be the consensus top inside linebacker in this year's draft. Though he's a bit undersized at 6-foot-1 and 236 pounds, he more than makes up for that elite speed and quickne s, as well as tremendous instincts. Our draft writer, Chris Trapa so, Meanwhile,-- three spots ahead of the next-closest inside linebacker, , who slots in at No. 2 on my Raiders-specific big board. In his writeup, Prisco noted Smith's size deficit, but also wrote "after watching his tape, he is a force and big enough to handle it. He will be a dominant three-down linebacker." If you can win over a doubter in Prisco, you know you're a great -- not good -- prospect. Just ask , who's yet to entirely earn Prisco's approval. The truth is, the Raiders can't go wrong with either Smith or Edmunds, which is a good thing considering there's a decent chance one of the two will be off the board before the Raiders are on the clock. The , especially if guard is taken with one JT Riddle Jersey of the first seven picks. However, there's a pretty great chance that one of the two will still be there at No. 10. Four quarterbacks will probably go within the first nine picks along with Nelson and running back . And the , who will pick ninth, are probably out of the linebacker market after drafting a year ago.So, things are shaping out pretty well for the Raiders. But if for some reason both of those two guys aren't there, there are plenty of other prospects worth taking at No. 10. And don't rule out a trade down. One final note: The reason you're not seeing Saquon Barkley on this list even though the Raiders don't have much of a long-term plan at running back is because I don't think he'll be available at No. 10. If he is, the Raiders might have to think long and hard about drafting him. But again, I don't think that'll happen.OK, let's get to the board.1. Roquan Smith, ILB, GeorgiaSmith is the best inside linebacker in the draft and would start immediately in a defense that needs all the help it can get. His size is a bit of an i sue, but his speed, quickne Miguel Rojas Jersey s, and instincts can negate that weakne s. If Smith falls to No. 10, the Raiders can't let him slip past them. 2. Tremaine Edmunds, ILB, If Smith is off the board before the Raiders are on the clock -- after all, the Bears could be in the market for an inside linebacker at No. 8 -- the Raiders should redirect their focus to Edmunds, who experienced a sharp rise up draft boards after an impre sive showing at the combine. Fittingly, He can play off the ball or on the line if need be. He has the ability to run to the football and make plays. He will be a three-down player. The Raiders could certainly use one of those kind of players. 3. , DB, Safety might not be an area of need, but if the incredibly versatile Fitzpatrick somehow falls to No. 10 -- something I don't think will happen -- the Raiders need to consider pulling the trigger on a player who will transform their defense. Fitzpatrick isn't ranked No. 1 because of the Raiders' glaring needs, but he should still be considered if he drops. That's how good of a prospect he is. This would be a case of going best player available even when there isn't an easy fit for him on paper. It wouldn't be a bad strategy.4. , DT, Defensive tackle, along with linebacker, is the Raiders' biggest need. Vea is the space-eating defensive tackle the Raiders need if both of the top inside Christian Yelich Jersey linebackers aren't available. As it stands, the Raiders will be starting at nose tackle. Last year, Pro Football Focus graded him as the 45th-best interior defender. So yeah, the Raiders could use an upgrade at the interior of their defensive line. -- one spot behind Edmunds and four behind Smith -- on his list of prospects, writing: He is a power player at 335 pounds who can also use his quickne s to push the pocket. He is much more athletic than you would expect from a man his size. Meanwhile, . That'll work. 5. , CB, Say all three of those players are off the board -- a scenario that seems highly unlikely. But if that happens, the Raiders might be tempted to find a trade partner so that they can move back and acquire some extra draft ammunition. Or they could just take Denzel Ward, who would immediately become their best cornerback on the roster. They cut . Their first-round pick a year ago, , mi sed all but two games in his rookie season. Even after signing in free agency, they could use another starter. Ward is 6. , DT J. T. Realmuto Jersey , Alabama OK, but if the Raiders do find a willing trade partner, they could trade back a few spots and fix their defensive tackle problem with Payne, who might be a reach at No. 10, but would definitely be worth it in the teens. -- you know, the superstar defensive tackle but before In this scenario, the Raiders trade down to get some more picks and then grab Payne. 7. , DT, Pretty much the same scenario with a different player. Taking Hurst at No. 10 might be a reach, but he'd be good value in the early 20s. Payne is probably the better player, so Hurst is better suited for a scenario that sees the Raiders either trading back twice or trading down farther than expected. 8. , OLB, Another trade down candidate is Leighton Vander Esch, who is an every down linebacker that is capable against both the run and the pa s. He check in at No. 12 on Prisco's big board -- only two spots behind Edmunds. So, 9. , CB, Iowa One last trade down candidate is Jackson, who isn't as good of a prospect as Ward, but