With 2014 NFL Draft talk heating up, we compiled some notable experts' mock draft predictions for the Raiders selection at No. 5 overall. The Draft is set for May 8-10 at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
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 Rob Rang | CBS Sports ** John Lund Says: Ran a 4.43 at the combine. Watkins had 16 catches for 227 yards in the Tigers win over Ohio State in the 2014 Orange Bowl. Yes, 16 catches. He plays faster than his time and I was told the consensus is he is the best receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson in 2007. He has started and starred since his freshman year, so he has shown the ability to adjust to the next level quickly. He can legitimately take the top off of the defense to open things up for other players. Has returned kicks and punts in college. A real playmaker. | |
| Rob Rang's Selection History | ||
| Feb 17 QB Teddy Bridgewater | ||
| Feb 26 QB Teddy Bridgewater | ||
| Mar 4 QB Johnny Manziel | ||
| Mar 17 QB Johnny Manziel | ||
| Mar 25 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
| April 8 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
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 Dane Brugler | CBS Sports John Lund Says: Ran a 4.43 at the combine. Watkins had 16 catches for 227 yards in the Tigers win over Ohio State in the 2014 Orange Bowl. Yes, 16 catches. He plays faster than his time and I was told the consensus is he is the best receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson in 2007. He has started and starred since his freshman year, so he has shown the ability to adjust to the next level quickly. He can legitimately take the top off of the defense to open things up for other players. Has returned kicks and punts in college. A real playmaker. | |
| Dane Brugler's Selection History | ||
| Feb 17 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
| Feb 26 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
| Mar 4 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
| Mar 17 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
| Mar 25 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
| April 10 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
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 Pete Prisco | CBS Sports John Lund Says: There wasn't a better or more exciting player in college football the last two seasons than the cat-quick, magical Johnny Football. Watch the 2012 tape of the Aggies win at Alabama his Heisman-winning freshman year for proof. The bad: He's 5'11 ¾". The NFL has drafted one quarterback in the first round since 1970 who measured 6-feet or under and that was the exactly 6-foot-tall Michael Vick in 2001. The Manziel supporter would point out Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson measured in at 5'10 ¾" in 2012 and has 52 touchdown passes and a ring in two years in the NFL. To me the difference is Wilson is a passer who runs, while Manziel is still a runner who throws. Wilson is also mature and grounded with top of the line intangibles, work ethic and leadership. Manziel was said to have interviewed well at the Combine, but teams who may invest in him will have to dig deep to decide if they want to hand the keys to the franchise to a guy who has had some off the field issues. On the field, a team will have to tailor an offense around him. | |
| Pete Prisco's Selection History | ||
| Feb 12 QB Teddy Bridgewater | ||
| Feb 26 QB Teddy Bridgewater | ||
| Mar 4 QB Teddy Bridgewater | ||
| Mar 19 QB Johnny Manziel | ||
| Mar 26 QB Derek Carr | ||
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 Pat Kirwan | CBS Sports John Lund Says: There wasn't a better or more exciting player in college football the last two seasons than the cat-quick, magical Johnny Football. Watch the 2012 tape of the Aggies win at Alabama his Heisman-winning freshman year for proof. The bad: He's 5'11 ¾". The NFL has drafted one quarterback in the first round since 1970 who measured 6-feet or under and that was the exactly 6-foot-tall Michael Vick in 2001. The Manziel supporter would point out Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson measured in at 5'10 ¾" in 2012 and has 52 touchdown passes and a ring in two years in the NFL. To me the difference is Wilson is a passer who runs, while Manziel is still a runner who throws. Wilson is also mature and grounded with top of the line intangibles, work ethic and leadership. Manziel was said to have interviewed well at the Combine, but teams who may invest in him will have to dig deep to decide if they want to hand the keys to the franchise to a guy who has had some off the field issues. On the field, a team will have to tailor an offense around him. | |
| Pat Kirwan's Selection History | ||
| Feb 17 DE Jadeveon Clowney | ||
| Feb 21 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
| Mar 4 QB Johnny Manziel | ||
| Mar 17 T Greg Robinson | ||
| Mar 24 Mock Trade up to #2 DE Jadeveon Clowney | ||
| April 4 Mock Trade down to #7 QB Johnny Manziel | ||
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 Charles Davis | NFL.com John Lund Says: Robinson seems to have jumped Texas A&M's Jake Matthews as the number one offensive tackle prospect because of his outstanding athleticism for a player his size. Was only a two year starter and third year sophomore, so he has room to grow or he may be raw and take some time. Robinson ran a 4.92 40 at the Combine and put up 225 pounds on the bench press 32 times. | |
| Charles Davis' Selection History | ||
| Feb 10 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
| Feb 27 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
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 Matt Smith | NFL.com John Lund Says: There wasn't a better or more exciting player in college football the last two seasons than the cat-quick, magical Johnny Football. Watch the 2012 tape of the Aggies win at Alabama his Heisman-winning freshman year for proof. The bad: He's 5'11 ¾". The NFL has drafted one quarterback in the first round since 1970 who measured 6-feet or under and that was the exactly 6-foot-tall Michael Vick in 2001. The Manziel supporter would point out Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson measured in at 5'10 ¾" in 2012 and has 52 touchdown passes and a ring in two years in the NFL. To me the difference is Wilson is a passer who runs, while Manziel is still a runner who throws. Wilson is also mature and grounded with top of the line intangibles, work ethic and leadership. Manziel was said to have interviewed well at the Combine, but teams who may invest in him will have to dig deep to decide if they want to hand the keys to the franchise to a guy who has had some off the field issues. On the field, a team will have to tailor an offense around him. | |
| Matt Smith's Selection History | ||
| Jan 19 QB Johnny Manziel | ||
| Feb 19 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
| Mar 5 QB Johnny Manziel | ||
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 Bucky Brooks | NFL.com John Lund Says: Bortles looks the part. The names you hear most associated with him are Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck because he has underrated athleticism (Luck), and is hard to bring down in the pocket, (Big Ben). Bortles was the only top-level quarterback to participate in all the drills and throw in Indianapolis. He "popped the ball," according to one scout I spoke with who said he has one of the stronger arms in the class. He ran a 4.93-second 40-yard dash and finished near the top in many on-field categories among quarterbacks. Bortles is seen as further away than Bridgewater because he played in an offense where many times he was only required to make one read. He has above average arm strength, but his accuracy can be inconsistent, especially under pressure. He did beat Bridgewater and Louisville head–to-head last season and more importantly beat Penn State, whose head coach was Bill O'Brien. O'Brien is now the head coach in Houston and the Texans have the first pick in the 2014 draft. How impressed was O'Brien by Bortles and his 288-yard, three touchdown performance back in September? Maybe impressed enough to draft him first overall. | |
| Bucky Brooks' Selection History | ||
| Feb 14 QB Blake Bortles | ||
| Feb 21 QB Blake Bortles | ||
| Mar 4 T Greg Robinson | ||
| Mar 25 T Greg Robinson | ||
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 Daniel Jeremiah | NFL.com John Lund Says: Very good all-around Combine running a 4.65-second 40-yard dash and was at or near the top in all on-field drills. 2013 breakout game vs. Ohio State really put him on the map with 9 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception return for a touchdown. One scout told me he is the whole package, can rush the passer or drop back in coverage. Special quick first step to the quarterback. In college played as a stand up linebacker and defensive end and is expected to do both again at the NFL level. Set an NCAA career record with 16 forced fumbles and is tied for first all-time in career tackles for loss with 75, finished his career with 28.5 sacks. Only perceived shortcomings are level of competition in college and can play out of control at times. | |
| Daniel Jeremiah's Selection History | ||
| Feb 11 QB Blake Bortles | ||
| Feb 27 QB Johnny Manziel | ||
| Mar 20 QB Blake Bortles | ||
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 Don Banks | NFL SI John Lund Says: Robinson seems to have jumped Texas A&M's Jake Matthews as the number one offensive tackle prospect because of his outstanding athleticism for a player his size. Was only a two year starter and third year sophomore, so he has room to grow or he may be raw and take some time. Robinson ran a 4.92 40 at the Combine and put up 225 pounds on the bench press 32 times. | |
| Don Banks' Selection History** | ||
| Feb 19 QB Blake Bortles | ||
| Mar 18 T Jake Matthews | ||
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 Chris Burke | NFL SI John Lund Says: Ran a 4.43 at the combine. Watkins had 16 catches for 227 yards in the Tigers win over Ohio State in the 2014 Orange Bowl. Yes, 16 catches. He plays faster than his time and I was told the consensus is he is the best receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson in 2007. He has started and starred since his freshman year, so he has shown the ability to adjust to the next level quickly. He can legitimately take the top off of the defense to open things up for other players. Has returned kicks and punts in college. A real playmaker. | |
| Chris Burke's Selection History | ||
| Jan 9 T Jake Matthews | ||
| Feb 26 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
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 Doug Farrar | NFL SIApril 1, 2014 ** John Lund Says: Based on talent and upside, Clowney should be the number one pick in the entire draft. Not refined and doesn't have pass rushing techniques down, but has raw ability and athleticism that rivals just about any player to ever come out of college at the defensive end position. 4.53 40-yard dash, 37.5-inch vertical leap at Combine with long 34 ½-inch arms. Can run hot and cold, some scouts thought he was bored in college and will turn it on in the NFL. | |
| Doug Farrar's Selection History | ||
| Feb 6 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
| Mar 5 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
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 Eric Galko | Sporting NewsApril 9, 2014 ** John Lund Says: Very good all-around Combine running a 4.65-second 40-yard dash and was at or near the top in all on-field drills. 2013 breakout game vs. Ohio State really put him on the map with 9 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception return for a touchdown. One scout told me he is the whole package, can rush the passer or drop back in coverage. Special quick first step to the quarterback. In college played as a stand up linebacker and defensive end and is expected to do both again at the NFL level. Set an NCAA career record with 16 forced fumbles and is tied for first all-time in career tackles for loss with 75, finished his career with 28.5 sacks. Only perceived shortcomings are level of competition in college and can play out of control at times. | |
| Eric Galko's Selection History | ||
| Feb 4 LB Khalil Mack | ||
| Feb 26 LB Khalil Mack | ||
| Mar 26 LB Khalil Mack | ||
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 Mel Kiper, Jr. | ESPN John Lund Says: Robinson seems to have jumped Texas A&M's Jake Matthews as the number one offensive tackle prospect because of his outstanding athleticism for a player his size. Was only a two year starter and third year sophomore, so he has room to grow or he may be raw and take some time. Robinson ran a 4.92 40 at the Combine and put up 225 pounds on the bench press 32 times. | |
| Mel Kiper's Selection History** | ||
| Feb 6 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
| Mar 13 QB Teddy Bridgewater | ||
| Mar 27 QB Teddy Bridgewater | ||
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 Todd McShay | ESPN John Lund Says: Ran a 4.43 at the combine. Watkins had 16 catches for 227 yards in the Tigers win over Ohio State in the 2014 Orange Bowl. Yes, 16 catches. He plays faster than his time and I was told the consensus is he is the best receiver prospect since Calvin Johnson in 2007. He has started and starred since his freshman year, so he has shown the ability to adjust to the next level quickly. He can legitimately take the top off of the defense to open things up for other players. Has returned kicks and punts in college. A real playmaker. | |
| Todd McShay's Selection History | ||
| Feb 6 QB Johnny Manziel | ||
| Mar 6 WR Sammy Watkins | ||
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Joel Klatt | FOX SportsFebruary 26, 2014 John Lund Says: Bridgewater chose not to participate in any on field drills at the Combine, instead choosing to work out at his pro day in April. There was good news on the first team All-American though this weekend. The major knock on him is his skinny frame. Bridgewater was listed at 196 pounds in college, but he gained 18 pounds and weighed in at 214 on his 6'2"-frame. I'm told that is about all his frame will allow so he won't get much bigger. His positives are he is the most accurate short and intermediate thrower in the draft. An NFL scout told me this weekend he is the most ready NFL quarterback among rookies and he "lives and breathes football." To me, the most underrated aspect of the draft process is getting inside of a players chest to see what kind of heart he has. This guy reportedly has it. Bridgewater completed 71 percent of his passes in 2013 and in his last two seasons, he threw 58 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions. | |
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Peter Schrager | FOX SportsFebruary 28, 2014 John Lund Says: Bortles looks the part. The names you hear most associated with him are Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck because he has underrated athleticism (Luck), and is hard to bring down in the pocket, (Big Ben). Bortles was the only top-level quarterback to participate in all the drills and throw in Indianapolis. He "popped the ball," according to one scout I spoke with who said he has one of the stronger arms in the class. He ran a 4.93-second 40-yard dash and finished near the top in many on-field categories among quarterbacks. Bortles is seen as further away than Bridgewater because he played in an offense where many times he was only required to make one read. He has above average arm strength, but his accuracy can be inconsistent, especially under pressure. He did beat Bridgewater and Louisville head–to-head last season and more importantly beat Penn State, whose head coach was Bill O'Brien. O'Brien is now the head coach in Houston and the Texans have the first pick in the 2014 draft. How impressed was O'Brien by Bortles and his 288-yard, three touchdown performance back in September? Maybe impressed enough to draft him first overall. | |
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 Sam Farmer | LA Times John Lund Says: Very good all-around Combine running a 4.65-second 40-yard dash and was at or near the top in all on-field drills. 2013 breakout game vs. Ohio State really put him on the map with 9 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception return for a touchdown. One scout told me he is the whole package, can rush the passer or drop back in coverage. Special quick first step to the quarterback. In college played as a stand up linebacker and defensive end and is expected to do both again at the NFL level. Set an NCAA career record with 16 forced fumbles and is tied for first all-time in career tackles for loss with 75, finished his career with 28.5 sacks. Only perceived shortcomings are level of competition in college and can play out of control at times. | |
| Mar 2 QB Derek Carr | ||
