Oakland Raiders: Analyzing Mel Kiper Jr.’s first mock draft projection
Should Oakland Raiders fans raise their hopes in landing Georgia product Roquan Smith after ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest mock draft?
In the first of many mocks leading up to April’s draft, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. released his first projections for all to consume, criticize and drool over. He slotted the top inside linebacker Roquan Smith to the Oakland Raiders at No. 10.
Here’s Kiper’s justification for sending the Georgia Bulldog to Oakland, per ESPN Insider:
"Smith is the type of player new coach Jon Gruden loves. He’s physical. He can get sideline to sideline in a hurry. He’s a force in the middle. Smith was one of the best players on the field in the College Football Playoff National Championship, and he could slot into the middle of the Raiders’ defense in place of NaVorro Bowman, who’s a free agent."
The 2017 Dick Butkus Award winner and reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year would certainly solve the Raiders’ problem in the middle. He’d bring power and quickness to the linebacker corps. It sounds like a solid fit with NaVorro Bowman headed to the free-agent market.
Before the NFL Scouting Combine, free agency and months before the draft, let’s examine the biggest reason for and against this projection.
Why the Raiders Will Draft Roquan Smith
Kiper already laid the physical traits out for you. Smith can start on one side of the field and chase down a ball-carrier or receiver on the opposite end. He’s a persistent defender who doesn’t give up on plays. We all saw that in the College Football Playoff games.
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In 2017, Smith finished with 14 tackles that resulted in a loss and 6.5 sacks. He possesses the athleticism to improve as a short-field pass defender. His combine numbers should confirm the ability to expand in that area.
Oakland has 2017 fifth-rounder Marquel Lee at the position, but he only logged 171 defensive snaps as a rookie.
Furthermore, the Wake Forest product didn’t see much action on passing downs. Coming into the league as a more versatile prospect, Smith would have every opportunity to start right away and make an early impact.
Why the Raiders Won’t Draft Roquan Smith
Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther has already placed his support behind re-signing Bowman, per San Jose Mercury News reporter Matt Schneidman:
"The thing that impressed me most with NaVorro is that they got him here midseason and by the end of the year, it appeared to me that he was kind of the leader of the unit, making a lot of calls. You can see that on tape.It looks like he is a smart guy that understands the game. I love smart guys that love playing football. Hopefully, we can get him back in the fold and keep him a Raider."
As an offensive mind, head coach Jon Gruden will heavily weigh his assistant’s opinions on who to acquire throughout the offseason. If Guenther has his way, Bowman would start at middle linebacker for the 2018 season, which suppresses the need to go high at the position.
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The decision to keep Bowman in the fold would indicate the Raiders’ focus on the cornerback, defensive end or offensive tackle spots in the first round.
However, assuming Smith falls to No. 9 or No. 10, pending the coin flip with the San Francisco 49ers, it would be difficult to leave the Georgia product on the board with all his talent and only a short-term investment in Bowman.