The Oakland Raiders Perfect 2016 NFL Draft

Jack Del Rio had the Oakland Raiders in contention in his first season thanks to an already-built offense that just needed one piece to the puzzle, a star wide receiver and they got that in Amari Cooper. The Raiders come into 2016 in much better shape, but with holes all over the defense and that’s where I feel they need to focus in this Mock draft.

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Round 1, Pick 14 – Reggie Ragland, ILB, Alabama

2015: 102 tackles, 6.5 for a loss, 2.5 sacks, seven passes defended, two forced fumbles, 6-foot-1, 247 pounds

The Raiders have a total of one inside linebacker under contract right now and no one on the team, other than maybe Khalil Mack with the defensive pedigree and talent of Ragland. Not only will he be a day one starter for the Raiders, he’ll lead the team in tackles and make the Pro Bowl. If the Raiders want to compete with the Denver Broncos, they need to build up their defense. Best to start with the best player on the board.

Round 2, Pick 44 – Vonn Bell, Safety, Ohio State

2015: 65 tackles, one for a loss, two interceptions, one defensive touchdown, nine passes defended, one fumble recovery, 5-foot-11, 199 pounds

Bell is another plug-and-play defensive player that can step right in for the departed Rod Woodson. Bell has the speed, athleticism and ball skills to match up with tight ends and wide receivers. Adding Ragland and Bell would give the Raiders the best inside linebacker and the best strong safety in this draft.

Round 3, Pick 75 – Le’Raven Clark, OT, Texas Tech

2015: Third consecutive All-Big 12 team, 6-foot-5, 316 pounds

Clark may not be a day-one starter for the Raiders at tackle, but he could end up in the starting line up at the end of the season and beyond. He’s huge, sets his feet quickly and was one of the reasons Texas Tech led the nation in converting third downs in 2015.

Round 4, Pick 114 – Kolby Listenbee, WR, TCU

2015: 30 catches, 597 yards, five touchdowns, 6-foot-0, 197 pounds

Listenbee played second banana at TCU next to Josh Doctson, who I think will be picked in the first round. The Raiders have a solid starter in Michael Crabtree and an All-Universe starter in Amari Cooper, but not a lot behind them. Listenbee is an immediate impact player because of his ridiculous speed. He ran a 4.39 40 at the NFL combine and was a two-time All-American in track for the Horned Frogs.

Round 5, Pick 143 – Daniel Lasco, RB, California

2015: 65 carries, 331 yards, 5.1 yards per carry, three touchdowns, 6-foot-0, 209 pounds

Injuries kept Lasco from matching his 1,115-yard, 12 touchdown junior season, but all that did was keep the tread on Lasco’s tires fresh for the pros. He’s an explosive runner who showed that off at the Shrine Game and can also be a weapon in the passing game.

Round 5, Pick 154 – Briean Boddy-Calhoun, CB, Minnesota

2015: 48 tackles, 1.5 for a loss, 0.5 sacks, four interceptions, one defensive touchdown, six passes defended, one fumble recovery, 5-foot-9, 193 pounds

Small, but solid, Bodd-Calhoun boasts the most Game of Thrones-inspired name in this draft. What he lacks in height he makes up for with speed (he ran a 4.47 at the combine) and athleticism (he had a 35-inch vertical).

Round 6, Pick 194 – Aziz Shittu, DE, Stanford

2015: 58 tackles, 14.5 for a loss, 4.5 sacks, three passes defended, 6-foot-3, 279 pounds

Shittu should be a good rotational player and back up for every position along the defensive line and a solid player any way the Raiders want to use him. Plus, he has the Stanford smarts to pick up any coaching he needs along the way.

Round 7, Pick 237 – Austin Blythe, Center, Iowa

2015: Four year starter, second-team All Big-10, 6-foot-2, 298 pounds

A smart, physical center who can also play guard. He has a good base and has showed it off with a trophy case full of wrestling medals he picked up as a three-time state champion wrestler. Blythe is never going to miss a weight room session or chance to grind a defender into the ground.

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