Oakland Raiders Master 2015 NFL Draft Plan

Reggie should trade back in the first round, multiple times- for a bounty of draft choices. Picks are like gold, they are the currency of the NFL. Regardless of what delusional Raiders fans will tell you, this roster is not one blue-chip talent away from competing. This is a roster that still needs an infusion of young talent across the board as it builds the core of the team, as well as competitive depth.

Oakland will be replacing veterans such as: Justin Tuck, Donald Penn, Curtis Lofton, Charles Woodson, James Jones, Michael Crabtree, Trent Richardson, and yes, Latavius Murray in the next few years.

The depth of the defensive line is as pitiful as the depth at the cornerback and safety positions is embarrassing.

Multiple pass-catchers will be needed to rebuild the receiving corps over next few seasons. In the absence of an alpha dog, Derek Carr’s skill set sets up well for a wide receiver by committee approach. One that can be successfully bolstered in the middle rounds of this draft. The same may very well be said for the running back position.

Perhaps, next year Demaryius Thomas or Dez Bryant hit the free agent market and Oakland finally exercises their salary cap space. Or, maybe they decide to pony up two first rounds picks in exchange for either, if they are tagged again.

We can list at least 20 players Oakland could move back and select in Round 1 who we are absolutely certain would help the roster – and there are probably more (Eddie Goldman, DJ Humprhies, Landon Collins, Randy Gregory, Jalen Collins, Kevin Johnson, Arik Armstead, etc). Heck, if they trade back, they may be able to land a couple of these guys.

Assuming Winston and Mariota are chosen close to where they are projected, and Leonard Williams is either off the board in the Top 3 or the value of the 4th pick skyrockets, Oakland needs to capitalize by trading back. They could go back as far as the 20-25 range and still guarantee themselves an exciting prospect at a position of need while gaining valuable extra picks not only to be used on the tremendous depth of this year’s draft, but also to be traded away for better future picks. An extra second or third-round pick this year can easily be parlayed into an extra first rounder in 2016 or 2017. It’s moves like this which will guarantee the long-term viability of the roster.

Top 20 Talents That Fit in Oakland in a Trade Back from #4:

Dante Fowler, OLB
Amari Cooper, WR
Todd Gurley, RB
Kevin White, WR
Breshad Perriman, WR
Melvin Gordon, RB
Phillip Dorsett, WR
Nelson Agholor, WR
Vic Beasley, OLB
Danny Shelton, NT
Malcom Brown, DT
Brandon Scherff, OT/OG
Andrus Peat, OT
La’el Collins, OT/OG
Trae Waynes, CB
Marcus Peters, CB
Bud Dupree, OLB
Devante Parker, WR
Laken Tomlinson, OG
Jalen Collins, CB

32 Players to Target on Day 2 and 3:

Stefon Diggs, WR
Tyler Lockett, WR
Devin Smith, WR
Devin Funchess, WR
Justin Hardy, WR
Tre McBride, WR
Jamison Crowder, WR
Da’Ron Brown, WR
Antwan Goodley, WR
Josh Harper, WR

Tevin Coleman, RB
Karlos Williams, RB
Javorius Allen, RB
TJ Yeldon, RB
Ameer Abdullah, RB
Mike Davis, RB
David Cobb, RB
Matt Jones, RB

Quinten Rollins, CB
Jordan Hicks, LB
Owa Odighizuwa, OLB
Shane Ray, OLB
Grady Jarrett, NT
Carl Davis, DT
Lynden Trail, LB
Nate Orchard, DE
Jaquiski Tartt, S
Cody Prewitt, S
Josh Shaw, CB
D’Joun Smith, CB
Corey Crawford, DE
Tavaris Barnes, DE
Zack Hodges, OLB