Previewing the Raiders’ last day of the 2014 NFL Draft

Originally published on Silver & Black Report on May 10, 2014
The Raiders have had a solid draft thus far but it is not even halfway over as the Raiders still have five selections remaining Saturday.

The Raiders still acquired a fourth-round pick (116th overall) in their trade with the Miami Dolphins on Friday to go along with their other fourth-round pick (107th overall) and three seventh-round draft picks – 219th overall, 235th overall, and 247th overall.

The Raiders addressed needs by selecting linebacker Khalil Mack, quarterback Derek Carr and guard Gabe Jackson but there’s still many holes that the Raiders will look to patch up in rounds four to seven on Saturday.

Though the Raiders signed Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown in the offseason to help at cornerback, they’re only on one-year contracts making it likely the Raiders will need to draft a corner.

There’s a lot of strong cornerback prospects still available, including Utah’s Keith McGill, Lindenwood’s Pierre Desir, Florida’s Marcus Roberson, Liberty’s Walt Aiken, Clemson’s Bashaud Breeland, Missouri’s E.J. Gaines and Florida’s Loucheiz Purifrey. The Raiders have also been reportedly interested in Oregon’s Terrance Mitchell, attending his workout in his hometown in Sacramento, Calif.

The Raiders passed up on a possible desperately-needed number one wide receiver when they selected Carr instead of one of the wide receiver prospects. Because of that, they may choose to select a wide receiver sooner than later in hopes of catching lightning in a bottle.

The wide receiver prospects have thinned out but some viable options are Clemson’s Martavis Bryant, South Carolina’s Bruce Ellington and Wisconsin’s Jared Abbrederis.

Some fans hoped that the Raiders would select a defensive end or defensive tackle Louis Nix III at 81st overall, but the Raiders opted to solidify their offensive line instead by selecting Jackson. This has left the hole in the roster for defensive line help. .

DaQuan Jones of Penn State would be a solid defensive tackle prospect, as would be Daniel McCullers of Tennessee. Deandre Coleman of Cal and Anthony Johnson of LSU would also be good choices.

Veteran safety Charles Woodson is also getting up there in age, leaving the Raiders needing to look for a young safety to groom.

The best safety prospect remaining is probably USC’s Dion Bailey, to go along with Ed Reynolds and Dontae Johnson.

It’s hard to say where they’ll go, but it also isn’t out of the realm that Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie won’t continue to wheel and deal. There’s no doubt that the Raiders would enjoy the comfort of moving back in some rounds while acquiring more draft picks.

No matter where the Raiders pick, there’s still work for them to do as they don’t want to slow down on an already strong draft after the first two days.