Should Oakland Raiders Trade Up For Joey Bosa, Ezekiel Elliott?
By Jim Vickers
Oakland Raiders General Manager Reggie McKenzie has done exceedingly well in his last two drafts without having to wheel and deal. However, drafting at 14 this year, it may behoove him to trade up.
In 2014 and 2015, McKenzie wisely drafted a good amount of bodies. He needed to. The Raiders had numerous holes to fill after a difficult salary cap purge.
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But going into the 2016 draft, McKenzie only has one glaring hole to fill due to Charles Woodson’s retirement — safety. And that need could be addressed in the second round.
So why stand pat with the 14th pick?
Several mock drafts have Oakland selecting a cornerback in the first round. Given the signing of Sean Smith and that David Amerson had a break out season in 2015, this position doesn’t appear to be a first round priority.
Some mock drafts point to defensive tackle, and fancy Sheldon Rankins out of Louisville. Rankins could be a solid pick at 14, but the Raiders already have productive starters in Dan Williams and Justin Ellis at interior line. So, this would be adding depth or a rotational player.
One might surmise that McKenzie would prefer a potential full-time starter at 14. And, there are talented D-line players in this year’s draft that will be around in later rounds.
In my estimation, McKenzie takes a pragmatic approach to the draft.
He accumulates picks when he needs them, holds steady when it suits him, and would make a move up if it would greatly impact the roster.
Reggie may do well to trade up this year and select potential impact players such as defensive end Joey Bosa, or running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa ranks in the top five of many big boards. While he didn’t blow people away at the combine, he was a force to reckon with on the field. The guy has a motor like the Eveready Bunny running on nitrous oxide. Put him on a front seven with Mack, Bruce Irvin, and Ben Heeney and Oakland will have one high speed defense.
The Raiders defense could improve exponentially with Bosa.
Also from Ohio State, Elliott enters the draft as the top rated running back. While Raiders feature back Latavius Murray cracked 1,000 yards last season, he’s not the game changer they may need to get to a championship.
Elliott, on the other hand, rushed for more than 1,800 yards and 200 yards receiving the last two seasons with the Buckeyes. He also scored 23 touchdowns in 2015. Running a 4.47, 40-yard dash at the combine, Elliott has the speed to turn the corner and break away from defenses in the second level. At 6-0, 225 pounds, he can run between the tackles in the NFL.
He’s a game changer.
So, how does Reggie get Oakland into the Top 5?
Answer: Cleveland.
The Browns have the 2nd overall selection and just had an exodus of near-biblical proportions this off-season. They need bodies.
Fortunately for them, they hired a good coach in Hue Jackson, and were able to secure the services of quarterback RGIII.
With needs in virtually every unit, Cleveland could land a starter at 14, and begin rebuilding through the draft with additional picks from a trade.
One good thing for Oakland, there shouldn’t be a king’s ransom to pay for moving into the Top 5 this year. There’s no sure franchise quarterback waiting. Many analysts seem to be lukewarm on top quarterbacks and it’s likely an offensive lineman will go No. 1 to the Titans.
Oakland could offer to swap first-rounders and kick in some late round picks in compensation, or future picks. Keep in mind, the Raiders are likely to select later next season due to an improving team.
A trade with Cleveland could help both organizations.
But if not the Browns, another option could be Jacksonville at number five.
Many mock drafts have Dallas taking Bosa or Elliott with the fourth overall pick. But if one remains on the board after the Cowboys selection, Jacksonville could make a good trade partner.
The Jaguars made a huge splash in free agency recently. Fortunately for Oakland, they signed top tier free agents at defensive end and running back. Several mocks see them taking a corner or linebacker with the fourth pick. However, the Jags signed cornerback Prince Amukamara to a 1-year deal, so drafting a linebacker makes more sense. It’s likely that either Alabama’s Reggie Ragland, Ohio State’s Darron Lee or Southern Cal’s Su’a Cravens will be available at 14.
Unfortunately, the Jags are in a greater position of strength to negotiate for more compensation than Cleveland because they did well addressing needs in free agency.
That makes them a tougher partner and McKenzie doesn’t yield much in terms of value.
I can’t see Bosa or Elliott falling much further than five, but you never know.
Reggie McKenzie seems to have the Midas touch.
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