The 2017 NFL Draft is now just over six weeks away now; can you believe it?
The offseason is flying by, and although free agency is currently in full swing, that doesn't stop us from looking ahead to next month's draft in Philadelphia.
It's about that time again, so let's see who the experts think the Oakland Raiders will select with the 24th overall pick.
Bleacher Report
Expert | Brent Sobleski
Previous Selection:Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
Breakdown:Very few top prospects come out of the NFL combine and simply don't match up to the player everyone saw during the previous season. Sure, a few concern areas may pop up. However, most individuals are who they are.
This is why Dalvin Cook's workout is so befuddling.
At Florida State, Cook looked like one of college football's most explosive runners. He needed to be defended as if he was going to score a touchdown every time he touched the ball, because he could.
Yet his workout fell well short of every expectation. What's most concerning is how poor he fared in change-of-direction drills. According to Mockdraftable.com, his times in both the three-cone and short shuttle were among the bottom 10 percent of running backs since the league started to reveal the workout numbers.
This is one of those instances where teams need to go back to their previous evaluations and make sure they're comfortable with Cook. When those concerns are added to his off-the-field issues and fumbling problems, Florida State's all-time leading rusher may no longer be considered a top-tier running back prospect.
CBS Sports
Expert | Will Brinson
Previous Selection:Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Breakdown:The Raiders pounce on secondary value late in the first round to help a defensive backfield that needs young corner talent.
Expert | Dane Brugler
Previous Selection:Zach Cunningham, OLB, Vanderbilt
Breakdown:The Raiders could use a tough, rangy linebacker and Cunningham fits the bill with his ball awareness, play speed and length to keep himself free from blocks.
Expert | Pete Prisco
Previous Selection:Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama
Breakdown:They have to get better play at corner from what they got last year. Humphrey can step in and help right away. The Raiders could also consider linebacker here.
Expert | Rob Rang
Previous Selection:Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
Breakdown:The Raiders' rise to the playoffs is directly attributable to its explosive offense but if the club is to take the next step -- and remain a consistent postseason threat -- help must be on the way for a defense that surrendered an average of 375 yards per game, 26th in the NFL. In his postseason wrap-up, Jack Del Rio stressed the need to create more of disruption on the interior, which is exactly what the 6-5, 285 pound McDowell does best.
ESPN
Expert | Mel Kiper, Jr.
Previous Selection:Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
Breakdown:The Raiders have a big need here, and Wilson offers length and experience at cornerback, where he has played in nearly 40 games for the Gators. For the first time in a while, the Raiders can be drafting in the midst of a title window, and I think cornerback help should be a part of the equation on Day 1 or Day 2. Wilson is a good value in this range, too.
Expert | Todd McShay
Previous Selection:Jarrad Davis, LB, Florida
Breakdown:With Florida's Teez Tabor running a slow 40 at the combine and Washington's Sidney Jones suffering a leg injury at his pro day, there's suddenly plenty of room for other cornerbacks to move up the board. King and Ohio State's Gareon Conley are two fast risers. King's tape is good, and his workout numbers are even better. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, King ran a 4.43 40 and posted a 39.5-inch vertical jump.
FOX Sports
Expert | Dieter Kurtenbach
Previous Selection:Sidney Jones, CB, Washington
Breakdown:The Raiders still love to take the best athlete available, right? Well, McDowell, who looks like he could play power forward in the NBA, fits the bill and will help solidify the Raiders' porous defensive front.
MMQB
Expert | Emily Kaplan
Previous Selection:Quincy Wilson, CB, Florida
Breakdown:The Temple product was the talk of the Senior Bowl and followed that up with a dominant combine. In Mobile, Reddick switched seamlessly from outside linebacker to inside linebacker in drills.
NFL.com
Expert | Bucky Brooks
Previous Selection:Adoree' Jackson, CB, USC
Breakdown:The Raiders can't continue to ignore their pressing need on the island. White is an experienced cover corner capable of snuffing out wide receivers with his length and athleticism.
Expert | Charley Casserly
Previous Selection:Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
Breakdown:Conley is a fine press corner who has the potential to play off in man-to-man coverage.
Expert | Daniel Jeremiah
Previous Selection:Tre'Davious White, CB, LSU
Breakdown:This isn't a big need for the Raiders but Ross could take this passing game to a new level with his big-play ability.
Expert | Chad Reuter
Previous Selection:Caleb Brantley, DT, Florida
Breakdown:Jack Del Rio gets his quick and strong pass rusher inside.
Pro Football Focus
Expert | Steve Palazzolo
Previous Selection:Malik McDowell, DT, Michigan State
Breakdown:Oakland has added key pieces to the defense on a yearly basis, and Cunningham can provide a playmaking presence in the middle. He has the athleticism to play zone coverage or cover tight ends, and he has no problem getting dirty in the running game, where his 56 solo run stops led all Power-5 linebackers. The issue for Cunningham is his tackling, where he's missed 34 attempts over the last two years; if he can cut those down, he's an excellent three-down linebacker prospect.
The Ringer
Expert | Danny Kelly
Previous Selection:N/A
Breakdown:With Malcolm Smith and Daren Bates gone in free agency and Perry Riley out of contract, Oakland needs an infusion of talent at the linebacker position. Davis is an explosive run-and-chase hitter who lays the wood in the run game and is athletic enough to cover tight ends and running backs in the passing game. He adds physicality and range to Oakland's defense.
SB Nation
Selection: Zach Cunningham, MLB, Vanderbilt
Previous Selection:Haason Reddick, LB, Temple
Breakdown:The Raiders would probably prefer if Foster fell into their laps, but Cunningham isn't a bad consolation prize.
Sporting News
Expert | Eric Galko
Previous Selection:Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
Breakdown:There's a real chance Dalvin Cook falls out of round one, with his character, athletic test and previous injury concerns. But the Raiders need a feature running back, and they have interest in Cook. He could be Ezekiel Elliott 2.0 in Oakland.
WalterFootball.com
Expert | Charlie Campbell
Previous Selection:Marcel Frazier, DE, Missouri
Breakdown:Oakland's defense improved as the season progressed, but there was always a big void in the middle of the defensive line. I imagine the Raiders will want to spend a high selection on a prospect who can generate some pressure in the interior, and Caleb Brantley is one of the top prospects available.* *
