The Combine is in the books, Pro Days and Free Agency are in full swing as we approach the NFL Draft (April 28-30). Here is our eighth 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. Check out last week's.
Expert: Eric Galko | Sporting News/OptimumScouting.com
PICK: Jarran Reed, DT, Alabama
Last Updated: March 10, 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: Jack Conklin, T, Michigan State
Last Updated: March 11, 2016
Reuter's Analysis: "Adding Kelechi Osemele at guard and Conklin at tackle strengthens the group in front of quarterback Derek Carr and running back Latavius Murray."
Previous Selections:
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (03/07/16)
Ronnie Stanley, T, Notre Dame (02/17/16)
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (01/29/16)
Expert: Daniel Jeremiah | NFL.com
PICK: Jack Conklin, T, Michigan State
Last Updated: March 14, 2016
Jeremiah's Analysis: "After signing Kelechi Osemele, the Raiders add another physical, tough blocker in Conklin."
Previous selections:
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (02/16/16)
Robert Nkemdiche (01/17/16)
Expert: Bucky Brooks | NFL.com
PICK: Sheldon Rankins, DT, Louisville
Last Updated: March 16, 2016
Brooks' Analysis: "The Raiders could opt for a CB1 at this spot, but the opportunity to add an energetic interior rusher to a front line that features Khalil Mack, Bruce Irvin and Mario Edwards, Jr., would make the unit downright scary."
Previous Selections:
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss (03/02/16)
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (02/22/16)
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss (01/17/2016)
Expert: Lance Zierlein | NFL.com
PICK: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Last Updated: March 4, 2016
Zierlein's Analysis: "Mackensie Alexander doesn't have the size or athleticism of Apple, and the Raiders' need at the position pairs nicely with Apple's bang-up combine."
Previous Selection:
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (02/18/16)
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (01/22/2016)
Expert: Charles Davis | NFL.com
PICK: A'Shawn Robinson, DT, Alabama
Last Updated: March 3, 2016
Davis' Analysis: "Last year's first-round selection from Alabama (Amari Cooper) worked out quite nicely for Oakland. Robinson's presence inside only helps LB Khalil Mack get that much better. A CB will be in play here, too."
Previous selection: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (02/22/16)
Expert: Todd McShay | ESPN.com
PICK:Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Last Updated: March 7, 2016
McShay's Analysis: "A true 6-foot-1 and 199 pounds, Apple has the size NFL teams covet in their corners. He played a lot of press-man coverage at Ohio State and has the speed (4.40 40-yard dash at the combine) to turn and run with faster wideouts. Apple still needs to refine his ball skills, but there's a lot to like about his raw skill set."
Previous selection: Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss (02/03/15)
Expert: Mel Kiper, Jr. | ESPN.com
PICK: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Last Updated: March 8, 2016
Kiper's Analysis: "A high-upside cornerback with size, Apple might deal with some growing pains, but he's an impressive combination of size, athleticism and natural gifts for the position.
Free-agency effect: The Raiders can throw their money around this offseason, but they need major work in the secondary, so they'll need to draft help here regardless."
Previous Selection: Jack Conklin, T, Michigan State (01/14/2016)
Expert: Dane Brugler | CBSSports.com/NFLDraftScout.com
PICK: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
Last Updated: March 14, 2016
Brugler's Analysis: "Oakland addressed cornerback (Sean Smith) and pass rusher (Bruce Irvin) in free agency, but is still in need of a thumping middle linebacker, which makes Ragland an ideal fit."
Previous Selections:
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State (03/01/16)
Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State (03/01/16)
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (02/22/16
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama (02/15/16)
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Expert: Rob Rang | CBSSports.com
PICK: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Last Updated: March 14, 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: Ronnie Stanley, T, Notre Dame
Last Updated: March 13, 2016
Prisco's Analysis: "If they were able to land him here, they could keep Kelechi Osemele at guard, which is his better spot. They could really be good on the offensive line if that were to happen."
Previous selections:
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (03/07/16)
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (03/01/16)
Expert: Chris Burke | SI.com
PICK: Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama
Last Updated: March 16, 2016
Burke's Analysis: "While Oakland has made great strides upgrading its front seven, it remains shy of a MIKE thumper—Curtis Lofton didn't cut it there. Ragland has produced up and down workouts from the Senior Bowl through Alabama's pro day, but his game-day skill working inside is undeniable."
Previous Selection:
Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson (03/03/16)
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: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State
Last Updated: March 7, 2016
Easterling's Analysis: "The Oakland Raiders have their franchise quarterback in Derek Carr, an explosive playmaker at receiver in Amari Cooper and a dynamic pass-rusher in Khalil Mack, all of whom are 25 or younger. Why not add a powerful, explosive running back who can impact the game on all three downs? Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott is easily the best running back in this year's class, and while spending a top-15 pick at that position might not seem like the best value, Elliott's skill set is well worth the selection. In a draft short on difference-makers on offense, Elliott will be a highly sought-after commodity, and the Raiders would be wise to add him to an already-promising young roster."
Previous Selection:
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama (02/22/16)
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame (02/01/16)
Expert: Chris Roling | BleacherReport.com
PICK: Mackensie Alexander, CB, Clemson
Last Updated: March 17, 2016
Previous Selection:
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (03/07/16)
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: Eli Apple, CB, Ohio State
Last Updated: March 14, 2016
Kadar's Analysis: "Oakland is another team that has added a veteran corner – they signed Sean Smith to a four-year deal – that could still draft the position in the first round. Apple and Smith would give the Raiders a pair of big and talented cornerbacks. It may not be Lester Hayes/Mike Haynes 2.0, but it would the closest the Raiders have gotten since then."
Previous selections:
Vernon Hargreaves, CB, Florida (03/07/16)
Ezekiel Elliott, RB Ohio State (02/29/16)
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: Jack Conklin, T, Michigan State
Last Updated: March 16, 2016
Cherepinksy's Analysis: "The Raiders signed Kelechi Osemele to a huge contract this offseason, so some believe that they might ask him to start at left tackle if Donald Penn moves on.* That's certainly a possibility, but it's not ideal, as Osemele is better when starting in the interior. Another option is to use the 14th pick in the draft on someone like Jack Conklin, who could be Derek Carr's new blind-side protector."
Previous Selections:
Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State (03/09/16)
Leonard Floyd, LB, Georgia (02/24/16)
*Editor's note: Penn re-signed March 17.
