2014 NFL Mock Draft Countdown: Oakland Raiders, No. 5
Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina (1)
Jan 1, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (7) holds up the championship trophy as the South Carolina Gamecocks beat the Wisconsin Badgers 34-24 in the Capital One Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Matias Wodner:
"The Raiders need a lot of help throughout the whole roster. They just traded for Matt Schaub, so I’m assuming they believe he can get them to at least an 8-8 record. Look for them to go best player available here, as the best player in the whole draft falls to them at pick 5. Clowney can only do so much for a talent-ridden team, but it’s a start."
Aaron Donald, DT, Pittsburgh (1)
Joshua Huffman:
"With Jadeveon Clowney and Khalil Mack off the board, logic suggests that the Raiders would settle for Sammy Watkins. But when do the Raiders ever follow logic? It’s almost guaranteed that they’ll stretch for players who shouldn’t even enter consideration before Round 2 (D.J. Hayden), Round 3 (Darrius Heyward-Bey) or Round 4 (Sebastian Janikowski…regardless of his pre-draft ranking, no kicker is worthy of a Day 1 or even Day 2 pick). Aaron Donald is the type of speedy NFL Combine superstar that Oakland tends to fall in love in. After losing Lamarr Houston and probably Pat Sims, the Raiders need a 3-tech defensive tackle and some pass-rushers for a depleted front four. Current DTs consists of 32-year-old Antonio Smith and unproven sixth-round pick Stacy McGee. Oakland may look to trade down but Minnesota (8) and especially the New York Giants (12) are teams who need a 3-tech defensive tackle. Raiders wait a little longer to address wide receiver…"