The Oakland Raiders are all in on defense in the 2016 NFL Draft as general manager Reggie McKenzie doubled down and selected back-to-back defensive linemen in the second and third rounds.
On Day One, the Raiders selecting hard-hitting West Virginia safety Karl Joseph who filled an obvious need in a secondary that has gotten almost a complete makeover after being repeatedly torched by opponents last season.
Related Story: Oakland Raiders Draft Hard-Hitting Safety
With the 44th overall selection, McKenzie pulled the trigger on Illinois defensive end Jihad Ward. At 6’5” and 297 pounds, Oakland may be looking for Ward to backup defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. in the event last season’s neck injury becomes and issue.
DRAFT GRADE: C+
The selection of Ward at No. 44 comes as a surprise to many, considering much higher rated defensive linemen were still on the board. For example, the Detroit Lions picked projected first rounder A’Shawn Robinson at No. 46 and Seattle landed the highly rated Jarran Reed at No. 49 overall.
Ward, who only posted 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks last season, carries more bulk than Edwards and can play at either end in a 4-3 alignment or tackle in the 3-4, providing push from either position.
Raiders defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. plays Khalil Mack at end and linebacker and will have similar flexibility with newly acquired outside linebacker Bruce Irvin. Ward’s ability to move inside will be helpfull when switching up to counter offensive matchups.
The Raiders have crafted their front seven with big strong lineman and fast linebackers, such as Mack, Irvin. Malcolm Smith and Ben Heeney. Ward may be a bit of a project for the staff to coach up. But above all, he adds to a group that has tremendous versatility.
Bottom line: Oakland could have gotten a top tier, immediate starter.
DRAFT GRADE: B-
With the 75th overall pick, McKenzie drafted Shilique Calhoun another defensive lineman, but one with a very different skill set.
Calhoun comes in as a potential pass rusher or 3-4 outside linebacker. At Michigan State he tallied 49 tackles, 15 for loss and 10.5 sacks.
He’s considered quick off the edge and has the motor to chase down runs from behind. This selection starts to make clearer the direction Oakland wants to go with their defensive schemes. Basically, they appear to be collecting guys that are big tweeners, rather than small tweeners, such as safety/linebacker Su’a Cravens.
Second round pick Ward would be a 3-4 tackle or big end at nearly 300 pounds. Here, Calhoun would be a big pass-rushing outside linebacker at 250 pounds.
Fortunately, everyone on this defense runs well and plays with good game speed.
Bottom Line: Calhoun fits what the team appears to be building philosophically.
DAY 3 NEEDS:
The team has yet to address the shortage at the running back position.
The Raiders have gone all defense and either they have a plan at running back that eludes bystanders or McKenzie feels comfortable with the talent that remains on the board for Day Three.
Keep in mind Latavius Murray’s late season dip in production, the fact that Roy Helu Jr. had off-season hip surgery and Taiwan Jones has yet to emerge as a strong change of pace back to the starter.
Fullback Jamize Olawale showed promise carrying the rock last season, and Marcel Reece will start the season serving a suspension for PEDs.
DAY 3 PREDICTIONS: Running Backs
The Raiders could look for a speedy scat back or change of pace player for third and long situations such as Keith Marshall. Utah’s Devontae Booker also remains undrafted. He averaged more than 130 yards per game during his 10 starts last season.
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The devaluation of the running back has hit a real low in the 2016 draft. It seems a lot of talented ball carriers will be coming off the board on Day Three.