2019 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Super Bowl 53 edition
By Randy Gurzi
4. Oakland Raiders: Josh Allen, EDGE, Kentucky
No team took more grief this season for the moves they made than the Oakland Raiders did. After hiring Jon Gruden, who spent the last decade in the ESPN booth, they started to tear down the roster. Their two biggest moves were to trade defensive end Khalil Mack and wide receiver Amari Cooper.
For Oakland, it was a chance to get some draft stock. For the teams who picked up those players, it ended up helping each win their division. And the worst part for Oakland is both Mack and Cooper were largely credited in the turnarounds for their new teams — especially Cooper who joined a 3-4 Dallas Cowboys club and helped them to a record of 10-6.
In addition to that, the Raiders had no in-house options to replace either player. So now, their extra draft capital may be used to help replace what they already had. With all that being said, they draft Josh Allen to play on the edge, hoping he can bring pressure like Mack used to.
Allen was a star at Kentucky who did himself a huge favor in returning this year. As a senior, he had a career-year and goes form a potential late pick in Round 1 to a top-five talent. Oakland desperately needs a player of his caliber who can put the defense on his back and make some much-needed splash plays.