2014 NFL Mock Draft, Complete 1st Round, V 4.0
5. Oakland Raiders
Aaron Donald
Defensive Tackle, Pittsburgh
Dec 26, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers defensive lineman Aaron Donald (97) holds the lineman of the game trophy after defeating Bowling Green Falcons 30-27 to win the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
With Jadeveon Clowney and Khalil Mack off the board, public logic suggests that the Raiders would settle for Sammy Watkins or one of the offensive tackles. But when do the Raiders ever follow public logic? Reggie McKenzie or not, Oakland stretches 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 pre-Day 3 pick).
In 2013, experts projected that Oakland would use a high draft pick—possibly No. 3—on a defensive lineman. Sharrif Floyd and Star Lotulelei were among the top choices. The reality was that the team didn’t draft any defensive linemen before Round 6, although third-round pick Sio Moore spent some time at defensive end on obvious passing downs.
Current defensive tackles consist of 32-year-old Antonio Smith (moving from 3-4 defensive end to 4-3 defensive tackle), run-defender Pat Sims and unproven sixth-round pick Stacy McGee. It’s not in as bad of shape as it was last season but the team would definitely benefit from adding an interior pass-rusher. A couple injuries (or Smith and LaMarr Woodley not making successful position changes) means that pass rush becomes an enormous issue. Even if it’s not Donald, expect them to pursue a 3-tech defensive tackle sometime in this draft.
Raiders wait a little longer to address wide receiver…
Realistic Preferred Options if Fell:
- Jadeveon Clowney, DE
- Khalil Mack, DE/LB