Oakland Raiders: Should Target Tre’ Jackson in 3rd Round

With the NFL draft almost here now is as good a time as any to look at the Oakland Raiders biggest team needs when it comes to the draft. It has been widely speculated that the Raiders will look to pick a big time wide receiver when they pick 4th in the 1st round, and for now that is definitely the safest bet, even after the signing of Michael Crabtree. But there is more than just one need in terms of starting players that Oakland would like to fill with rookies. That is, if they can find the right fit.

One of the other holes that they have to be concerned with is their right guard spot, where last year’s starter Austin Howard was less than inspiring. Howard was the 67th ranked run and pass blocker in the NFL last year out of 78 guards that were rated as starters per Pro Football Focus. Oakland did not bring in anybody at the position during free agency, so they have to be looking at the draft for a replacement. The player they need to take a long look at is Tre’ Jackson out of Florida State, and the spot to grab him is most likely the 3rd round.

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Jackson is a guy that anyone who watched him play last year could call a mauler. He is a proportionally big guy at 6’4” 330. He specializes at using his quick first step to get to linebackers at the 2nd level or turning to seal defensive linemen at the point of attack if needed. While probably not considered the best guard from a technical standpoint, his motor, size and frame put him in the category of the best guards in the draft. Many NFL scouts agree, including Rob Rang and Derek Stephens of CBSsports.com: “A 42-game starter who earned All-ACC first-team accolades in 2013 and consensus All-American honors as a senior, Jackson is arguably the most accomplished right guard in the draft.”

Florida State’s offensive line was quite accomplished over the last two years, a reason their quarterback Jameis Winston is looking at being the first overall pick. Along with center Cameron Erving, Jackson established a dominance on the offensive line that led to a championship in 2013 and a playoff run in this past year’s college football bowl series.

“A 42-game starter who earned All-ACC first-team accolades in 2013 and consensus All-American honors as a senior, Jackson is arguably the most accomplished right guard in the draft.”-Rob Rang and Derek Stephens, CBSSports.com

Jackson, if put with the right offensive line coach, would be a perfect player to work alongside new center Rodney Hudson and left guard Gabe Jackson, one of last year’s picks by Oakland. The best thing Oakland could do to set up long-term success for their young quarterback Derek Carr is to put the right players in front of him for the foreseeable future.

While fans and experts could argue that Oakland needs a corner back more than a right guard, the way the Raiders offensive line played last year would say otherwise. Jackson could be just what the doctor ordered to shore up Oakland’s chances to get out of the long-term rebuilding mode they have been in since 2003.

Next: Oakland Raiders: Best option with the 4th pick?

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