Oakland Raiders: 5 Potential 2019 NFL Draft targets to watch

It’s never too early to put standout collegiate prospects on the NFL radar. Who should the Oakland Raiders keep tabs on during the 2018 collegiate season?

For those who enjoy NFL draft talk, there’s more to discuss for the foreseeable future, especially with the Oakland Raiders. It’s no secret that talent evaluators keep their eyes open for the next crop of incoming rookies. Before any of us know it, the 2019 draftees will come into focus.

Of course, the Raiders have much to unpack with several veterans, nine 2018 draft picks and undrafted free agents. We’ll have organized team activities, training camp and preseason to break down, analyze and project how these players fit into the new system.

Before looking ahead to OTAs, which start May 22, let’s have a moment to take a sneak peek at what’s coming down the collegiate pipeline for the Raiders in 2019.

Remember, it takes more than a year to fully install a new system with the players needed to execute game plans. Expect head coach Jon Gruden to continue molding this roster before it runs like a well-oiled machine.

In the first year, Gruden will find out what works and what doesn’t, which explains the boom-or-bust approach to the 2018 draft. In the following offseason, we could see a more concrete draft strategy with fewer high-risk prospects.

When the college football season kicks off, who should land on the Raiders radar as potential early-round draft picks?