Take a look at which players NFL analysts are predicting the Raiders will select in round one of the 2019 NFL Draft.
LB Devin White, LSU
DT Rashan Gary, Michigan
WR Hakeem Butler, Iowa State
DE Brian Burns, Florida State
TE T.J. Hockenson, Iowa
RB Josh Jacobs, Alabama
DE/LB Josh Allen, Kentucky
CB Greedy Williams, LSU
S Johnathan Abram, Mississippi State
DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama
WR D.K. Metcalf, Ole Miss
DE Zach Allen, Boston College
WR Kelvin Harmon, N.C. State
DT Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
DE Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
CB Trayvon Mullen, Clemson
WR A.J. Brown, Ole Miss
CB Byron Murphy, Washington
DT Clelin Ferrell, Clemson
WR Deebo Samuel, South Carolina
QB Kyler Murray, Oklahoma
WR Marquise Brown, Oklahoma
WR Riley Ridley, Georgia
WR Parris Campbell, Ohio State
T Cody Ford, Oklahoma
TE Noah Fant, Iowa
CB Justin Layne, Michigan State
CB Rock Ya-Sin, Temple
OL Dalton Risner, Kansas State
MORE MOCK DRAFTS: Mock Draft Tracker: 1.0
One of the major pit stops en route to the 2019 NFL Draft has been checked off.
The 2019 Senior Bowl wrapped up Saturday after a full week of practice, and several interviews with NFL scouts. The next crop of college prospects will put their talents on display at the NFL Scouting Combine next month.
Each player at the Senior Bowl had the opportunity to show a side of themselves that isn't represented on tape; their character, and their love of the game. By the end of the week, there were a cluster of players that had drastically improved their draft stock just because of the interview process.
As the weeks go on we'll continue to see players rise and fall in mock drafts, so with that being said, let's take a look at the recent projections from NFL analysts around the league.
| Publication | Projected Pick | Player | College | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBS Sports (Chris Trapasso) | No. 4 | DT, Quinnen Williams | Alabama | 1/18/19 |
| No. 24 | LB, Devin White | LSU | 1/18/19 | |
| No. 27 | WR, Kelvin Harmon | N.C. State | 1/18/19 | |
| CBS Sports (Ryan Wilson) | No. 4 | DE, Clelin Ferrell | Alabama | 1/21/19 |
| No. 24 | WR, Kelvin Harmon | N.C. State | 1/21/19 | |
| No. 27 | RB, Josh Jacobs | Alabama | 1/21/19 | |
| The Athletic (Dane Brugler) | No. 4 | EDGE, Josh Allen | Kentucky | 1/9/19 |
| No. 24 | WR, D.K. Metcalf | Ole Miss | 1/9/19 | |
| No. 27 | RB, Josh Jacobs | Alabama | 1/9/19 | |
| Walter Football | No. 4 | DE, Rashan Gary | Michigan | 1/24/19 |
| No. 24 | OLB, Montez Sweat | Mississippi State | 1/24/19 | |
| No. 27 | S, Johnathan Abram | Mississippi State | 1/24/19 | |
| SB Nation (Dan Kadar) | No. 4 | DT, Quinnen Williams | Alabama | 1/28/19 |
| No. 24 | LB, Devin Bush | Michigan | 1/28/19 | |
| No. 27 | DE, Zach Allen | Boston College | 1/28/19 | |
| NFL Network (Bucky Brooks) | No. 4 | DE, Rashan Gary | Michigan | 1/25/19 |
| No. 24 | WR, Kelvin Harmon | N.C. State | 1/25/19 | |
| No. 27 | DT, Jefferey Simmons | Mississippi State | 1/25/19 | |
| NFL Network (Daniel Jeremiah) | No. 4 | DT, Quinnen Williams | Alabama | 1/23/19 |
| No. 24 | DE, Jaylon Ferguson | Louisiana Tech | 1/23/19 | |
| No. 27 | CB, Trayvon Mullen | Clemson | 1/23/19 |
Quinnen Williams has been linked to the Raiders consistently and following the first round of the Mock Draft Tracker, plenty of analysts had the team selecting him fourth overall. While many still expect him to end up in the Silver and Black, University of Michigan defensive end Rashan Gary has appeared at the No. 4 spot in a few mock drafts. If drafted by the Raiders, the former Wolverine would be reunited with Maurice Hurst Jr., and the duo were able to accomplish a lot during their time together on the Michigan defensive front. With a big body and long frame, the athletic pass rusher will be a player to monitor at the Combine.
It wouldn't be a complete mock draft breakdown if we didn't note a couple of players that were present at the Senior Bowl. The Raiders have a need for edge rushers, and Zach Allen out of Boston College was one player that garnered a lot of attention in Mobile, Ala., and he was on the North team, which was coached by Jon Gruden and the Raiders coaching staff.
"It's quite an honor, and [Jon Gruden is] one of the greatest coaches of all time, so to have him recognize me is fantastic, and I just got to give him something to work with this week," Allen said after Senior Bowl practice Tuesday. "Today I felt I did pretty good in the run, could've done a little better in the one-on-ones. Wasn't as solid as I wanted to be, but just getting back into football. Been out of it a couple months, so just getting my feet on the ground again."
Dan Kadar of SB Nation has Allen falling to the Raiders at No. 27, and believes the Connecticut native made a positive impression during his week at the Senior Bowl.
In addition to Allen, Jaylon Ferguson from Louisiana Tech had a strong outing in the Senior Bowl, registering a sack, and demonstrating his burst off the edge. Ferguson has been linked to the Raiders in NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah's mock draft, and notes, "Ferguson has some stiffness, but his length, power and production will be very appealing to a team in need of edge rushers."
Who knows if any of these players will wind up on the Raiders, but it's clear analysts think the team will go defense heavy in the first round.
