The Las Vegas Raiders enter the final day of the NFL draft with six selections and a clear strategy: find players who fit their culture and fill remaining roster holes. General manager John Spytek and his staff, including assistant GM Brian Stark, will reconvene early Saturday morning to finalize their board before the fourth round begins at 9 a.m.
“We’ll be off and running with the second pick,” Spytek said. “We’re just going to keep trying to identify the really good football players that want to be Raiders and lay it on the line for their teammates.”
The Raiders hold the 102nd overall pick, second in the fourth round. After addressing quarterback of the future with Fernando Mendoza on Thursday, they added a versatile defensive back, an offensive lineman, and a defensive end on Friday. The most pressing needs now are wide receiver, offensive tackle, defensive tackle, and cornerback.
“There’s a group of us who will be in there together and we’ve all watched a lot of these guys independently and together as a group,” Stark said. “John’s great about encouraging everyone to speak up and everyone’s confident about giving their opinions on the players.”
Wide receiver
Remaining: Elijah Sarratt (Indiana), Deion Burks (Oklahoma), Skyler Bell (Connecticut), Bryce Lance (North Dakota State), Kevin Coleman (Missouri), Brenen Thompson (Mississippi State), Jeff Caldwell (Cincinnati), Malik Benson (Oregon), Josh Cameron (Baylor), Colbie Young (Georgia).
Analysis: Sarratt, a favorite target of Mendoza during Indiana’s undefeated national championship run, offers instant chemistry with the rookie quarterback. Bryce Lance, brother of Chargers QB Trey Lance, brings elite size and speed but needs to refine his route tree. Caldwell is raw but possesses blazing 6-5 speed. Young could be the physical contested-catch receiver the Raiders covet.
Defensive tackle
Remaining: Zxavian Harris (Mississippi), Gracen Halton (Oklahoma), Darrell Jackson Jr. (Florida State), DeMonte Capehart (Florida State), Rayshaun Benny (Michigan), Zane Durant (Penn State), Bryson Eason (Tennessee), Nick Barrett (South Carolina), Cameron Ball (Arkansas), Kaleb Proctor (SE Louisiana).
Analysis: Harris is a massive disruptor in the middle, though not a true nose tackle. Jackson fits that mold better. Capehart can wreck interior offensive lines and has pass-rush upside.
Offensive tackle
Remaining: Demetrious Crownover (Texas A&M), Drew Shelton (Penn State), Jude Bowry (Boston College), Kage Casey (Boise State), Isaiah World (Oregon), Travis Burke (Memphis), Diego Pounds (Mississippi), Carver Willis (Washington), Fa’alili Fa’amoe (Wake Forest), Enrique Cruz Jr. (Kansas).
Analysis: Crownover is a fluid mover whose run blocking outpaces his pass protection. Shelton’s speed in the run game fits Klint Kubiak’s scheme. Casey is a former teammate of running back Ashton Jeanty.
Cornerback
Remaining: Jermod McCoy (Tennessee), Keionte Scott (Miami), Malik Muhammad (Texas), Keith Abney (Arizona State), Will Lee III (Texas A&M), Devin Moore (Florida), Chandler Rivers (Duke), Charles Demmings (Stephen F. Austin), Ephesians Prysock (Washington), Domani Jackson (Alabama).
Analysis: McCoy is a top-10 talent whose medical concerns have caused a draft slide. If the Raiders take a swing, it could be a home run. Muhammad is a scheme fit with more substance than flash.
