It's never too early to start talking about the NFL Draft (April 28-30). Here is our sixth round-up of selected expert opinions on who they think the Raiders will select with the 14th overall selection in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft in Chicago. We will update with new predictions and additional analysts in the weeks leading up to the Draft.
Expert: Eric Galko | Sporting News/OptimumScouting.com
PICK: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
Last Updated: March 1, 2016
Galko's Analysis: "With Khalil Mack leading a talented linebacking corps and the offense in great position, the Raiders need to address their defensive line and secondary early and often in the 2016 draft. While cornerback Eli Apple's upside is intriguing, one of the more impressive 320-athletes in recent draft history in Reed may offer a more unique opportunity for GM Reggie McKenzie. Adding Reed solves his defensive line issues, and he load up in the secondary throughout the rest of the draft."
Previous Selection: Andrew Billings, DT Baylor (02/09/16)
Expert: Chad Reuter | NFL.com
PICK: Ronnie Stanley, T, Notre Dame
Last Updated: Feb. 17, 2016
Reuter's Analysis: "Derek Carr breathes a sigh of relief now that the team has Stanley to hold off defenders."
Previous Selection: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (01/29/16)
Expert: Daniel Jeremiah | NFL.com
PICK: Jack Conklin, T, Michigan State
Last Updated: March 1, 2016
Jeremiah's Analysis: "Conklin proved has the skill set and demeanor to excel at multiple positions on the OL."
Previous selections:
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (02/16/16)
Robert Nkemdiche (01/17/16)
Expert: Bucky Brooks | NFL.com
PICK: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Last Updated: Feb. 22, 2016
Brooks' Analysis: "After putting together a solid nucleus of talent on the offensive side of the ball, GM Reggie McKenzie could elect to upgrade the personnel in the secondary to help the defense get stops in critical moments. Alexander is a sticky cover corner adept at shutting down WR1s with an aggressive bump-and-run approach that's ideally suited for the Raiders' defensive scheme."
Previous Selection: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss (01/17/2016)
Expert: Lance Zierlein | NFL.com
PICK: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
Last Updated: Feb. 18, 2016
Zierlein's Analysis: "If Smith comes back from his injury at 100 percent and the Raiders are able throw Smith and Khalil Mack at offenses game in and game out ... then ... I don't even know what to say. Smith would be a 'best-talent-available' selection here."
Previous Selection: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (01/22/2016)
Expert: Charles Davis | NFL.com
PICK:Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Last Updated: Feb. 22, 2016
Davis' Analysis: "Alexander was really impressive down the stretch as the Tigers played their way into the national title game. He provides talent and verve."
Expert: Todd McShay | ESPN.com
PICK:Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss
Last Updated: Feb. 3, 2016
McShay's Analysis: "Conklin would be a good pick here if available, but he's not in this scenario. If the Raiders are willing to take a risk, Nkemdiche is a top-10 talent who has fallen this far because of character concerns. When he's right, the 6-foot-4, 296-pound Nkemdiche is a highly disruptive 3-technique D-lineman with the versatility to play inside and outside."
Expert: Mel Kiper, Jr. | ESPN.com
PICK: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Last Updated: Feb. 22, 2016
Kiper's Analysis: "Apple is a big corner, he's a great athlete, he did real well against some top receivers. He's only a third-year sophomore. I think that's the kind of pick Oakland has traditionally made over the years. I don't think Apple would be an out of the question pick, because I think after all is said and done, we get to late April, April 28, he's going to be way up there on a lot of boards."
Previous Selection: Jack Conklin, T, Michigan State (01/14/2016)
Expert: Dane Brugler | CBSSports.com/NFLDraftScout.com
PICK: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Last Updated: March 1, 2016
Brugler's Analysis: "The most pressing need for the Raiders is arguably in the secondary at cornerback. Although he is still young at the position, Apple has the size, speed and athletic traits to develop into a No. 1 corner."
Previous Selections:
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (02/22/16
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama (02/15/16)
Expert: Rob Rang | CBSSports.com
PICK: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Last Updated: March 1, 2016
Rang's Analysis: "Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie deserves a lot of credit for drafting Khalil Mack, Amari Cooper and Derek Carr over the past two years, but his initial first-round pick - cornerback D.J. Hayden - hasn't fared as well. Alexander is just a redshirt sophomore but scouts are enamored with his talent and upside."
Expert: Pete Prisco | CBSSports.com
PICK: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Last Updated: March 1, 2016
Prisco's Analysis: "Their cornerback situation wasn't good last year. They have to improve the ability to play man coverage on the back end. This is a player who excels at it."
Expert: Chris Burke | SI.com
PICK: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Last Updated: March 1, 2016
Burke's Analysis: "His height notwithstanding, the 5'11" Alexander has the look of an eventual No. 1 NFL cornerback. I say 'eventual' because college quarterbacks' reluctance to test him combined with his limited experience (he was a redshirt sophomore in 2015) presents limited tape. When the ball was thrown his direction, Alexander clamped down on receivers, erasing space with a physical demeanor."
Expert: Steve Palazzolo | ProFootballFocus.com
PICK: Chris Jones, DT, Mississippi State
Last Updated: March 2, 2016
Palazzolo's Analysis: "Another PFF favorite, Jones may have as much upside as any player in the draft. His 54.2 overall grade ranked fourth among interior defensive linemen last season, including a 36.5 pass rush grade that ranked second. He's extremely strong at the point of attack, prompting our analysts to bring up New York Jets DE Leonard Williams as a comparable player. Throw in Jones' 1.70 10-yard split at 310 pounds, and the burst and strength give him a rare combination that could make him one of the better players to come out of the draft."
Previous selections:
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss (02/02/16)
Myles Jack, LB, UCLA (01/21/16)
Expert: Luke Easterling | BleacherReport.com
PICK: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
Last Updated: February 22, 2016
Easterling's Analysis: "The bigger need is at corner for the Raiders, but the value is elsewhere on both sides of the ball in this scenario. With Jaylon Smith off the board, general manager Reggie McKenzie could set his sights on another building block to drop into the middle of his defense in Alabama's Reggie Ragland. Though he spent much of the Senior Bowl practices working at outside linebacker, Ragland is much better suited to remain inside at the next level, in the same spot where he anchored yet another national-champion defense for the Crimson Tide. Per Chase Goodbread of NFL.com, the Raiders spent plenty of time with Ragland in Mobile, and that interest could culminate in them selecting him with this pick come April."
Previous Selection: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (02/01/2016)
Expert: Chris Roling | BleacherReport.com
PICK: Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida
Last Updated: March 2, 2016
Expert: Steve Silverman | BleacherReport.com
Pick: Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame
Last Updated: Feb. 27, 2016
Previous Selection: Taylor Decker, T, Ohio State (02/14/2016)
Expert: Dan Kadar | SBNation.com
PICK: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
Last Updated: Feb. 29, 2016
Kadar's Analysis: "Latavius Murray is a solid player who rushed for 1,066 yards last season, but he was inconsistent for much of the year. Elliott can be a superstar in Oakland's offense. At the Combine head coach Jack Del Rio said he wanted to get better in the running game, and in this draft there's no better way to do it than Elliott."
Previous selections:
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (02/22/16
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama (02/01/16)
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (01/25/16)
Taylor Decker, T, Ohio State (1/18/16)
Expert: Walter Cherepinsky | walterfootball.com
PICK: Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State
Last Updated: March 2, 2016
Cherepinksy's Analysis: "The Raiders were getting decent play out of Aldon Smith, but he's been suspended for an entire season. Trusting him for the long term is probably not a good idea, and they also need a replacement for Justin Tuck, so grabbing an edge rusher at No. 14 is probably a smart move."
Previous Selection: Leonard Floyd (02/24/16)
