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Predicting what the Oakland Raiders will do during the 2017 NFL Draft is nearly impossible. So why not go bold with it, as I did with these five predictions?
There's less than a week to go before the start of the 2017 NFL Draft, and predictions for the Oakland Raiders are running rampant. We've seen mock drafts going in just about every direction, with some folks even talking about movement up or down in the first round.
With all of this forecasting going on, I decided to throw my hat in the ring. However, I couldn't simply put together a boring list of predictions based on the latest rumors and what others are saying–that's a lazy approach. That's why I decided to put together this list of bold predictions for the Raiders.
Now you should keep in mind that these predictions are meant to push the limits of logic. While not all are asinine, most are extremely unlikely to actually come to fruition on draft day. Realistically, though, you've already seen all of the serious predictions. This is meant to spur some imagination and give us a rest from all of the serious draft banter.
So here they are–my five bold predictions for the Raiders during the 2017 NFL Draft. Just remember to not take them too seriously, and don't be afraid to speculation outside of the box–that's what this point of the offseason is all about.
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5. Raiders Trade Up in First Round
Based on what we saw last season, it's not crazy to imagine this team being one or two pieces away from serious contention. A healthy Derek Carr would also help, but that's against the point. Realistically, one more big-time playmaker on defense could get this team over the hump.
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So instead of sitting pat and waiting to see what's available at No. 24 overall, the Raiders trade up. General manager Reggie McKenzie knows he needs a homerun during the draft. The Oakland defense was ugly at times in 2016, and little was done during free agency to shore things up.
As the first round starts to play out, the Raiders soon realize a couple of the top defenders on their board are starting to slide. They could wait and hope the slide continues into the latter parts of the first round, but why risk it? Instead, McKenzie rolls the dice and uses some of his current assets to make a significant jump up in Day 1.
In this situation, I'm predicting the Raiders make a move up somewhere between No. 13-15. It's not going to be a cheap move, but it's what it's going to take to put this team in the upper echelon of annual contenders in the NFL.
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4. Oakland Takes Malik Hooker After Short Slide
So who did the Raiders move up for? It may not seem like the most obvious choice, but I believe grabbing Malik Hooker in the early teens of the first round would be a huge get for this Oakland secondary. Safety isn't their biggest need, but the former Buckeye can be a star for this defense.
Once considered a potential top-five pick, Hooker has seen his stock suffer a small drop due to lingering injury concerns. The Ohio State product had surgery to repair a torn labrum and hernia after the 2016 campaign, and recently returned to Indianapolis for another medical evalution. With teams ultra wary of injury-prone players, it'd be no surprise if Hooker slid.
As we all know, though, the Raiders aren't afraid of safeties coming off injury. They used their 2016 first-round pick on Karl Joseph, who missed most of his final college season due to an ACL tear. That didn't slow him down much, though, as he turned in an exceptional rookie season in Oakland.
Hooker may have some medical red flags, but he's a star on the field. Equipped with rare instincts in coverage and a unwavering nose for the football, he'd form a dynamic duo at safety with Joseph. With Reggie Nelson's contract up after this season, bringing aboard Hooker would set this defense up for success on the back end for the next decade.
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3. Raiders Steal Reuben Foster on Day 2
Things haven't gone well for Reuben Foster since the start of the pre-draft process. From his run-in with a worker at the NFL Combine to a "failed" drug test (via NFL.com), it's starting to look like the Alabama product could slide during the 2017 NFL Draft.
If that is the case, the Raiders could find themselves with a flat-out steal.
When it comes to Foster, there's no denying the talent is there. In terms of sheer football ability, he's arguably a top-five prospect in this year's class. However, between the character concerns, health issues and general lack of value at linebacker, there's a decent chance he falls out of the first round altogether.
When that happens, the Raiders will watch him slide all the way to No. 56 overall — where they'll scoop him up and find themselves a future star at inside linebacker. It's a huge get at a position of significant need, especially considering the well-rounded array of tools Foster brings to the table.
The Raiders are no strangers to taking on players with checkered pasts. They did so with Aldon Smith, and that turned out well for a while. I don't believe Foster is as big of a liability, but would make just as much of an impact if he can live up to his potential. The second-round steals keep on coming for Oakland.
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2. Oakland Makes Mid-Draft Swap for Marshawn Lynch
Since the middle of March, there's been a lot of talk about Marshawn Lynch potentially un-retiring to join the Raiders. While it hasn't happened quite yet, we hear rumors every day of the two sides coming closer and closer to striking a deal.
The financial difficulties (via the San Francisco Chronicle's Vic Tafur) should be worked out soon, making a trade between the Raiders and Seattle Seahawks the only remaining hurdle. However, as you've probably guessed, I'm predicting that part of the process is checked off soon. By soon, I mean during the upcoming 2017 NFL Draft.
With the Raiders already in the middle of making draft-day deals, they reach out to the Seahawks to ensure Lynch wears Silver and Black in 2017. While their assets are depleted after the move up on Day 1, I'm sure they'll find a way to make it work. If fact, it could be as easy as parting with the seventh-round pick they previously received from Seattle to acquire Beast Mode.
One way or another, Oakland gets it done during the draft. They appear convinced Lynch can help them win now, so parting with a late-round pick is a small price to pay. The Raiders send the Seahawks their seventh-round selection in return for the rights to the Bay Area native.
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1. Raiders Roll the Dice With Joe Mixon in Fifth Round
The slide for Joe Mixon finally ends in the fifth round, courtesy of the Raiders.
Oakland has been putting in time during the pre-draft process, doing their homework on the former Oklahoma running back. Although there are obvious character concerns after Mixon punched a woman in 2014, all signs indicate he's turned his life around.
Unfortunately for him, most teams aren't willing to take on that kind of risk. In the case of the Raiders, though, they decide the talent is worth the potential PR disaster — it's not like the franchise is exactly in good standing with fans anyway. So why not take a chance on an elite talent with a some significant off-field issues?
Even with Lynch in the mix, Mixon brings serious potential to the table. Not only is he a talented runner, but he's shown to be a capable receiver out of the backfield. He's a well-rounded back who can learn for a season behind Beast Mode before taking the reins of the Oakland ground game.
And in the fifth round, you can't ask for much more. Sure, some fans won't like the move, but it's not often you find a first-round talent this late in the draft. The Raiders know what they're in for with drafting him. However, they also know that Mixon's abilities can help elevate their offense for the next decade–assuming he stays out of trouble.
