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2017 Raiders - how's the 2018 draft looking? (1 Viewer)

I would have preferred Carlos Watkins or Montravius Adams at the position, but this dude at one point was dis-rup-tive.  If he regains health and explosion we got another steal.

 
I forgot about Vanderdoes. He broke my heart as an Irish fan. Love this though.... He has the tools to be a monster. Easily the kind of guy that we need in the middle there. Can crush a pocket. 

 
There's Reggie's perennial "country strong" outside the box pick. Hopefully he pays dividends like Edwards has. 

 
I like the 3 players selected so far.

1. The DB group needed an infusion of young good players. Enter Gareon Conley & Obi Melifonwu: Check

2. The Raiders needed more depth and help on the DL enter Eddie Vanderdoes: Check

If the Raiders get the 2014 Eddie Vanderdoes pre injury they got a steal in the 3rd round. Eddie was able to go from 340 pounds down to 302 pounds before the combine. I think we will be getting the 2014 preinjury Eddie. He looked very good during the Super Bowl looking heatlhy from his injury and lighter on his feet.

 
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Chadstroma said:
Someone mentioned earlier that Reggie was quoted as saying that he felt he would get LB talent later in the draft. 
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That was me quoting Greg Papa about his thoughts on Reggie...

"he's heard all the talk about ILB but thinks that Reggie believes he can find LB talent for cheaper than that."

so far, the Voice of the Raiders has been spot on.  

 
Cookiemonster said:
And half the instincts.
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Perhaps, but his physical tools will mitigate that a lot.  Big Nickel is real in the NFL - ask LAR with Barron, ARI with Buchanon, and TBB have a pair of 230 lb. linebackers.  Many teams are dropping thier big safeties in the box to function as a small speed LB.  Obi can fill that role well.  He's actually got some CB skill set too, and can spend some time in that role too covering the DT's and Mike WIlliams' of the division.  This is a versatile swiss army knife we can use in a lot of ways to stay in base but play sub package functions.

Don't get me wrong, I like Cunningham and wouldn't have complained about him, but he's got a much more narrow role he fills.  There are still solid LB's in this draft like Anthony Walker, Hardy Nickerson, Blair Brown, and perhaps my favorite is Jared Reeves-Maybin.

 
Name: Eddie Vanderdoes

School: UCLA

Position fit: Defensive interior

Stats to know: Graded positively as a pass-rusher and as run-defender for three-straight seasons.

What he does best:

  • Uses his quick hands to defeat blocks and quick feet to get around blockers.
  • Productive run-defender with 16 run stops in 2016.
  • Has exceptional balance and can hand fight while strafing down the line of scrimmage.
  • Holds his ground well at the point of attack even against double teams.
  • Strength and technique to toss blockers aside and win early in the engagement.
  • Strong enough upper body to shed blockers even after he loses the initial engagement.
  • Plays with a low pad level, making it harder for linemen to block him.
  • Provides a disruptive interior pass-rush presence at times.
  • Did not tally a lot of pressures in 2016 but his wins were generally quick off the snap and he had a number of other “wins” as a pass-rusher.
  • Multiple effective pass-rushing moves — club, swim, bull rush, spin and spin counter.
  • Can line up at multiple positions along the defensive line.
Biggest concern:

  • While he improved in 2016, there are still questions if he can ever be a top-notch pass-rusher.
  • Suffered a torn left ACL in the 2015 season opener and missed the rest of the season.
  • Plays with brace on his surgically repaired left knee.
  • Missed most of the Week 2 game in 2016 with a right knee injury.
  • Production declined significantly as the season wore on.
  • Level of physical conditioning might be an issue.
Player comparison: Timmy Jernigan, Baltimore Ravens

Vanderdoes can line up at multiple spots on the defensive line and his size, build, production and playing style are similar to Jernigan.

Bottom line: Eddie Vanderdoes is a wild card in this draft class as his size and ability warrant an early draft selection but his injury history will push him down draft boards. How far will be highly dependent upon each team’s strategic approach to drafting players with pre-existing medical conditions. When healthy Vanderdoes is a highly disruptive player on the interior of the defense. Vanderdoes has the quick hands and feet to disrupt both running and passing plays. He finished the season with an 85.3 run-defense grade and an 82.0 pass-rush grade but teams will need to be convinced he can provide a consistent interior pass-rush if they are going to invest a high draft pick in him.

 
Look out for OT Juli'en Davenport, from Bucknell.

Vic Cotto on Twitter said the team loves him, could go here or next round.

 
Dammit I hate coming across as a Debbie Downer. And I have been to these rodeos enough to know the true measure of a draft comes 2-3 years later.

But it bugs me to see guys like Zach Cunningham and D'Onta Freeman taken just a single pick after ours.

Like OT David Sharpe as a pick to help build/develop depth behind Penn at LT.

 
People keep freaking out about ILB, but they're to the defense what RBs are to offense. You don't have to invest high round picks just to fill the need. DB, DL, and OT are more important than a ILB.

 
Charlie Harper said:
People keep freaking out about ILB, but they're to the defense what RBs are to offense. You don't have to invest high round picks just to fill the need. DB, DL, and OT are more important than a ILB.
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Bingo!

What have the last two highly touted Bama ILBs done? Not much... Granted Ragland got injured, still I agree with CH's post. Also, Reggie has never put a premium on drafting ILBs. He seems to like looking for diamonds in the rough later in the draft. Although James, Heeney and Burris haven't really panned out, it doesn't mean he'll change his philosophy after a couple misses. He covers those mistakes by filling in with journeymen vets like Riley and Jenkins.

 
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Bruno2 said:
Bingo!

What have the last two highly touted Bama ILBs done? Not much... Granted Ragland got injured, still I agree with CH's post. Also, Reggie has never put a premium on drafting ILBs. He seems to like looking for diamonds in the rough later in the draft. Although James, Heeney and Burris haven't really panned out, it doesn't mean he'll change his philosophy after a couple misses. He covers those mistakes by filling in with journeymen vets like Riley and Jenkins.
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Why does this just have to be about Bama ILBs?  The linebacker play and the defense in general was miserable last year.  A lot of people are acting like linebacker play means nothing in today's NFL.  Having a good three down middle linebacker would help tremendously.  Maybe the philosophy should change after a bunch of misses and mediocre journeyman and giving up a billion yards last year.

 
Bruno2 said:
Bingo!

What have the last two highly touted Bama ILBs done? Not much... Granted Ragland got injured, still I agree with CH's post. Also, Reggie has never put a premium on drafting ILBs. He seems to like looking for diamonds in the rough later in the draft. Although James, Heeney and Burris haven't really panned out, it doesn't mean he'll change his philosophy after a couple misses. He covers those mistakes by filling in with journeymen vets like Riley and Jenkins.
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tell that to all the great ILB`s that have played this game ...im pretty sure guys like Singletary and Urlacher would disagree with you 

 
CB, S, DT, OT, MLB

Very happy.

Whoever comes next it's not about position of need, just guys you hope make the team, can help on ST.  

I wish we added a 3 down MLB who can cover TE and stuff the run. There are about 3 of those in the league, but yeah, I wish we had one.

 
massraider said:
CB, S, DT, OT, MLB

Very happy.

Whoever comes next it's not about position of need, just guys you hope make the team, can help on ST.  

I wish we added a 3 down MLB who can cover TE and stuff the run. There are about 3 of those in the league, but yeah, I wish we had one.
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Maybe not the players that I would have picked but definitely the positions I would have chosen.  Reggie knows more than I.  Defense!  

 
massraider said:
CB, S, DT, OT, MLB

Very happy.

Whoever comes next it's not about position of need, just guys you hope make the team, can help on ST.  

I wish we added a 3 down MLB who can cover TE and stuff the run. There are about 3 of those in the league, but yeah, I wish we had one.
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I wish we had a MLB that could cover the TE or stuff the run.  I'd settle for one of the two at this point.

 
BustedKnuckles said:
tell that to all the great ILB`s that have played this game ...im pretty sure guys like Singletary and Urlacher would disagree with you 
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I'm sure they would. But there are no Singletarys or Urlachers in this draft. I trust the judgement of Reggie, JDR and Norton, they know what it takes to play LB in the NFL. If they don't think there was a LB worthy of picking ahead of two DBs in this years draft,  then they're probably right. 

 
I was hoping for Roderick Johnson but we're way past the point of me being able to say I prefer one guy over our picks, so I'll just be happy that the picks match needs and trust the talent evaluation. 

 
 
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BustedKnuckles said:
tell that to all the great ILB`s that have played this game ...im pretty sure guys like Singletary and Urlacher would disagree with you 
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That's the problem. ILBs were gods when teams ran the ball up the gut 30 times a game. The game now is pass heavy, so MLB are not as important. Of course having a great MLB helps, great players always do, but getting great players at the other positions has greater impact and saves more money if you hit on their rookie deals.

 
Like the Hood pick. Again I think there were better runners for us earlier, but as far as need and style of play, fits us well.

Hood is big and runs with power, hard to bring down through the tackles and does not shy away from contact. Can be used inside the 10 and for short distances, but has surprising speed when bouncing outside and around corners.

Good fit for depth behind Lynch. I think it means we say bye to Taiwan.

 
Charlie Harper said:
That's the problem. ILBs were gods when teams ran the ball up the gut 30 times a game. The game now is pass heavy, so MLB are not as important. Of course having a great MLB helps, great players always do, but getting great players at the other positions has greater impact and saves more money if you hit on their rookie deals.
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I think you could just as easily say that with a pass heavy league it's the SAM LB who became less of a focus and more of a two down player.

MLB is usually the play caller and adjustment maker, and having a good one makes a difference. As does the side to side patrolling and chasing an MLB has to do against jet sweeps and outside runs.

Its the skill set and personnel we've been missing for a bit here so wish we had a better rated guy.

But as others have said, we filled needs, and though I'd rather have had other guys at the positions, at least those positions are much more solidified. Reggie clearly drafting need than BPA again, which is serving us well.

 
I dont feel they adequately addressed their need at tackle. Some concerning scouting notes on Sharpe:

"Stiff as can be. Doesn't have flexibility in his ankles and knee"

"Lacks feet and body control needed to mirror and keep his blocks centered."

These are not the traits of an effective pass blocker, and the team should be grooming a LT now. Protecting Carr should be one of their  top priorities. I hope I am wrong but I am very concerned about the talent and depth at tackle, and what it may mean to Carr's health moving forward.

 
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32 Counter Pass said:
I dont feel they adequately addressed their need at tackle. Some concerning scouting notes on Sharpe:

"Stiff as can be. Doesn't have flexibility in his ankles and knee"

"Lacks feet and body control needed to mirror and keep his blocks centered."

These are not the traits of an effective pass blocker, and the team should be grooming a LT now. Protecting Carr should be one of their  top priorities. I hope I am wrong but I am very concerned about the talent and depth at tackle, and what it may mean to Carr's health.
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Maybe next year's draft, or another good FA next year.  This draft wasn't the best chance to replenish the position, not without reaching a lot.

 
I am not sure that is true. I am not knocking their first two picks. If Conley is eligible to play day 1 that pick is a home run. And if OB can cover TEs then they have address a glaring weakness. I just think drafting players that possess traits of an nfl pass protector should have been a bigger priority. Now they are gambling that a 34 yo Penn will stay healthy and continue to play at a high level. Hopefully they win that bet.

 
32 Counter Pass said:
I dont feel they adequately addressed their need at tackle. Some concerning scouting notes on Sharpe:

"Stiff as can be. Doesn't have flexibility in his ankles and knee"

"Lacks feet and body control needed to mirror and keep his blocks centered."

These are not the traits of an effective pass blocker, and the team should be grooming a LT now. Protecting Carr should be one of their  top priorities. I hope I am wrong but I am very concerned about the talent and depth at tackle, and what it may mean to Carr's health moving forward.
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I've shared your concern about OT this spring.

RT especially, in our division, it's the most important spot. I wish Menelik had stayed. 

We added two bodies, best we can say is who knows. I might have drafted Ramzcyk (spelling?) if I had been running things in the first, but Conley looks like a steal. 

We do  have possible answers at OT, with Alexander, Sharpe, Kirkland, Howard, and even Osemele. It seems like the young guys don't have the foot speed we want at RT, but we don't know for sure if they can't do it yet. We KNOW Newhouse isn't the long team answer, he's a vet backup, which is fine.

It seems like we have a million guards, and potential guards. I wonder if Reggie is preparing for life without Gabe. From a cap standpoint, two expensive guards isn't ideal. If Gabe wants Ose type money, Reggie might let him go. I love Gabe, but 20 mill per in guards is a luxury. 

The cap brings me to why I like the positions we took. OT, CB, DT, and S are all expensive free agents, S less so, but more and more lately. 

When you go shopping in free agency, if your needs are LB or RB, you are gonna spend less than anyone looking for a CB and an OT.  Really gonna be tough finding bargains at those positions, especially with everyone having cap space. 

So taking those premium positions in the draft is very smart, and I think the team is drafting with that info in mind. Obi over Cunningham, is LB a more pressing need? Maybe, right now. Maybe. But next year, if we go looking for another LB in free agency, they will cost less than a good FS. It's why I knew we weren't taking a RB early. 

 
Also, there is not a ton out there but there may be some further moves we can make with FA's at OT and LB to help get us by. I wouldn't be surprised to see us sign Riley and then look at Hodges. Hodges may not be a pro bowler but I think he can play well enough. Also, wouldn't be surprised to look at Whalden and Levy for outside help to replace Smith. 

At OT we could go with Clady. Maybe look at Vollmer and Dunlap. 

I would rather us go after BPA. It looks like honestly Conley and Obi were. If Conley had not fallen because of the allegations the expectation of him was easily in the top 15. Maybe top 10. I heard they love Obi so much they were looking at him as their 1st round target. Conley was just a gift. For Obi, this is a guy that has the size to cover TE's but the athletic ability to also cover WR's. 

No draft pick a sure thing and we don't know how good a drafted player is until they play. Reggie, overall, has earned the benefit of the doubt in my mind. I am certainly not going to say I know better after reading some scouting reports on college guys I have only seen a couple of highlights of (or none at all). 

LB and OT were needs and I can't say I am confident we addressed them but we did draft some guys and have some other options to further make some moves. 

That is my thinking at least. Just win baby!

 
This is why I was lamenting our inactivity in FA.  That's where you need to fill needs and we didn't.  The draft didn't fall to us for getting an OL, and I am super glad we didn't pass the superior talent in Conley to draft the need in Cam Robinson.

Fact is we still have/had a lot of holes and it takes time to address everything.  There are few teams with zero concerns, and we still have opportunities.  KO can move to RT and we can get another G somewhere if that's easier to fill.  Maybe one of the rooks or Vadal Alexander can hold down an inside role while they develop.

 
Hankmoody said:
This is why I was lamenting our inactivity in FA.  That's where you need to fill needs and we didn't.  The draft didn't fall to us for getting an OL, and I am super glad we didn't pass the superior talent in Conley to draft the need in Cam Robinson.

Fact is we still have/had a lot of holes and it takes time to address everything.  There are few teams with zero concerns, and we still have opportunities.  KO can move to RT and we can get another G somewhere if that's easier to fill.  Maybe one of the rooks or Vadal Alexander can hold down an inside role while they develop.
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You can still sign players after the draft. It's not like FA ends at draft time. Every move needs to be  judge by how it'll affect the cap and Reggie always seems to be doing that.

He's splurged on Hudson and KO, so it's not like he's opposed to signing big time FA, he just makes sure that they're actually worth it. Reggie doesn't spend money frivolously, so if he didn't spend cash this FA it's likely because there wasn't anyone worth it.

 
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Luv that Reggie loaded up on 7th rounders this year. Think about all the UDFAs he's hit on over the years. The 7th rdrs are essentially his top UDFA calls for this year. Keep an eye out for the RB and DT as those were deep positions this yr and both sound like great scheme fits. Hood already saying some beautiful things about playing behind Beast Mode.

 
Sporting news draft grade 


Oakland Raiders: D-


Draft picks: Ohio State CB Gareon Conley, Connecticut S Obi Melifonwu, UCLA DT Eddie Vanderdoes, Florida G/T David Sharpe, Wake Forest LB Marquel Lee, Washington State S Shalom Luani, Alabama State T Jylan Ware, North Carolian RB Elijah Hood, Toledo DT Treyvon Hester

The Raiders had nine picks, but it was a struggle vs. previous much better draft and offseason hauls from Reggie McKenzie. Conley’s gambling style isn't worth the character risk, and Melifonwu and Vanderdoes were taken more because they look the part than anything else. Those early picks had an Al Davis feel to them. Between Sharpe and Hester late, there isn’t much front-line help for a rising young AFC title contending team.

 
BustedKnuckles said:
Sporting news draft grade 


Oakland Raiders: D-


Draft picks: Ohio State CB Gareon Conley, Connecticut S Obi Melifonwu, UCLA DT Eddie Vanderdoes, Florida G/T David Sharpe, Wake Forest LB Marquel Lee, Washington State S Shalom Luani, Alabama State T Jylan Ware, North Carolian RB Elijah Hood, Toledo DT Treyvon Hester

The Raiders had nine picks, but it was a struggle vs. previous much better draft and offseason hauls from Reggie McKenzie. Conley’s gambling style isn't worth the character risk, and Melifonwu and Vanderdoes were taken more because they look the part than anything else. Those early picks had an Al Davis feel to them. Between Sharpe and Hester late, there isn’t much front-line help for a rising young AFC title contending team.
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Time will tell.  

 
Las Vegas Review and the Baylor 247 page indicating Ishmael Zamora, the dog beater out of Baylor, has agreed to terms with the Raiders.

A truly trashy and despicable pick up, in my opinion. It pains me to see us pick up a person like this.

 
Yah. I've come to expect low draft grades because Reggie has his own way of valuing players that often don't jive with the "mockperts." It's a good thing to know your GM has a vision/plan independent of the media.

 
Oakland Raiders1 (24). Ohio State CB Gareon Conley2 (56). UConn S Obi Melifonwu3 (88). UCLA DL Eddie Vanderdoes4 (129). Florida OT David Sharpe5 (168). Wake Forest ILB Marquel Lee7 (221). Washington State S Shalom Luani7 (231). Alabama State OT Jylan Ware7 (242). North Carolina RB Elijah Hood7 (244). Toledo DT Treyvon HesterOverview: Since a fire-able start to his tenure as GM, Reggie McKenzie has been on a wicked tear. The Raiders have earned consecutive B+ draft grades from Rotoworld – in hindsight, they deserved a capital A+ in 2015 – and delivered another solid haul here with four likely early contributors in Conley, Melifonwu, Vanderdoes, Lee, and an intriguing project in Sharpe at a position of need. I trust McKenzie has solid information Conley will be exonerated of the draft-week allegations against him, of course. I thought Conley had the best tape of any corner in this class, including higher-rated teammate Marshon Lattimore. It was not Lattimore whom the Buckeyes’ coaching staff left on man-coverage islands against Clemson’s Mike Williams and Penn State’s Chris Godwin. It was Conley. Ware is a player Rotoworld’s Josh Norris identified as a pre-draft sleeper. Lee was a terrific round-five value pick I expect to push for immediate snaps. Melifonwu is George Iloka 2.0, and Reggie Nelson’s eventual replacement. More often than not, the rich get richer in the NFL draft. The Raiders have established themselves amongst the rich. Grade: B
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Evan Silva's draft grade.

 
Moonshine said:
Las Vegas Review and the Baylor 247 page indicating Ishmael Zamora, the dog beater out of Baylor, has agreed to terms with the Raiders.

A truly trashy and despicable pick up, in my opinion. It pains me to see us pick up a person like this.
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Hate 'em if you like but that is one awesome signing. huge reward if he flies straight. He's only getting one shot, just like Mixon so it's not like he does something bad again and you have to think about what to do. This guy is ####### good.

 
Moonshine said:
Las Vegas Review and the Baylor 247 page indicating Ishmael Zamora, the dog beater out of Baylor, has agreed to terms with the Raiders.

A truly trashy and despicable pick up, in my opinion. It pains me to see us pick up a person like this.
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I sure am glad no one took my career potential away from me for ####### things I did when I was 21 years old.  Is there some history or pattern from this guy?

 
It was mentioned on the NFL draft broadcast by Rich Eisen and I noticed it myself and basically thought "too soon?".

Anyone else feel that way seeing the mid-round picks being announced by Nevada brass (govenor, etc) was awkward to say the least?

I'm not an Oakland native so I don't mind that they're moving to a state of the art facility in Vegas, but, man, I thought they could've maybe been a little more low-key about it this year.

 
joey said:
It was mentioned on the NFL draft broadcast by Rich Eisen and I noticed it myself and basically thought "too soon?".

Anyone else feel that way seeing the mid-round picks being announced by Nevada brass (govenor, etc) was awkward to say the least?

I'm not an Oakland native so I don't mind that they're moving to a state of the art facility in Vegas, but, man, I thought they could've maybe been a little more low-key about it this year.
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I felt the same.  Fortunately he diffused much of it by emphasizing the "Oakland" Raiders.

 
Hankmoody said:
I sure am glad no one took my career potential away from me for ####### things I did when I was 21 years old.  Is there some history or pattern from this guy?
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Be honest though, you better believe if your employers were aware of an instance, much less video evidence, that you were a physically abusive towards people or animals, even just once, the likelihood of you maintaining the same career potential is practically nil.

I wanted no part of Mixon either. Talent or not, I'd rather we hold ourselves to a higher standard and pass on players with evident behavioral issues like this. 

Obviously we're getting a mid-round talent as a UDFA, so the value is undeniable, but when it comes to some behaviors I'm not sure a second chance is necessarily appropriate. You had a chance to be a multi millionaire doing something millions of people envy, and you blew it by doing something that wasn't only idiotic, but evil. Good luck with whatever you move onto next, but in my opinion you blew your chance for a life some people dream of.

I'm sure I'm in the minority so I'll drop it after this. His value as a football player is evident, I just think our brand name and pedigree would benefit from shying away from these kinds of people. I want players we can be proud of saying we signed, not players like this.

 
Maybe I should say "I'm glad I was 21 and a ####### back in an era when phones and the Internet didn't exist".  I get the optics of it, but social justice makes no accommodations for fair and appropriate punishment.  The consequences of making mistakes today is way, way beyond the impact many of those mistakes have.  A man makes a crude comment about a woman and next thing you know his career is gone. There are countless stories of how a single post, blog, tweet, or text has cost people careers and gotten them harrassed beyond belief.

What he did was abhorrent, no doubt, but we're talking about a 21 year old kid with who knows what kind of role modeling in his formative years?  We can't lock these kids up and throw away the keys, that's why our society is as screwed as it is. 

Off my soapbox.  I'm happy the Raiders are getting good football players to put on the Silver and Black and score or prevent many touchdowns.

 
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