Oakland Raiders: 5 Early targets for the 2019 NFL Draft

Devin White, LB, LSU

Another glaring hole on on the Raiders defense is in the middle where the former Chief, Derrick Johnson currently plays. For starters, Johnson is 35 years old and likely done after this season. If he isn’t retiring, the Raiders will likely move on either way and they should. With that said, LSU Devin White is an elite inside linebacker prospect who would help the Raiders defense immediately.

White is 6-1, 240 pounds and can rush the passer and drop into coverage. In run defense, he plays like an old school backer when taking on blockers as he stacks and sheds and fights through trash. He’s a powerful tackler who doesn’t miss very often. In coverage, he’s smooth, quick and understands how to play zone.

When asked to blitz, his 4.5 sacks last season is a small sample of how effective he is. White is in the same class and better than C.J. Mosley. Defensive coordinator Paul Gunther would put White in the best possible position to succeed. During his time with Cincinnati Bengals, Gunther coached Vontaze Burfict, another player White shares similarities with.

Nick Bosa, EDGE, Ohio State

There are a ton of scouting reports praising the younger brother of the 2016 NFL Defensive Rookie of the year, Joey Bosa. Nick Bosa, the aforementioned younger brother and current Buckeye defensive end had an excellent 2017 season with 16 tackles for loss and eight sacks as a true sophomore. Before getting injured, Bosa was on his way to dominating the 2018 season as well.

In three games he had four sacks, six tackles for loss and a touchdown off a fumble recovery. Bosa’s dominance has scouts drooling and is why he’s projected to go in the top three of the 2019 NFL Draft. As a matter of fact, Bleacher Report quoted one scout as saying Nick Bosa was better than his older brother.

"“There are a lot of similarities, and it goes beyond the physical stature… But I’m convinced Nick will be the better of the two.”"

Based on the lackluster performance by the Raiders pass rush, they’ll need to make up for the absence of Khalil Mack. Bruce Irvin will turn 31 and will enter the last year of his contract in 2019. Arden Key is still developing as a pass rusher, but there’s not reason to believe he can’t become one half of a dynamic tandem.

However, neither end can duplicate what Mack brought to the defense as a pass rusher and run defender — Bosa can. He comes in right away and makes Irvin expendable so that the Raiders can free up some cap space.