Oakland Raiders: Don’t pass on Quinnen Williams to avoid position logjam

The Oakland Raiders selected two interior linemen, P.J. Hall and Maurice Hust, in last year’s draft. Should they pass on Quinnen Williams if he’s available?

It’s NFL Draft season, and we often hear about the best-player-available strategy (BPA). The Oakland Raiders may be faced with a tough decision with the No. 4 overall pick. Despite a strong need at defensive end, Quinnen Williams, an interior defender, could stand out as the top player left on the board.

When perusing through mock drafts, you’ll notice some analysts have the Raiders passing on Williams to trade back or addressing a clear roster void. That’s the type of move that can set a club backward. It does a rebuilding team a disservice when the decision-makers overlook a potential All-Pro-caliber player to fill a need.

The Raiders should’ve learned this lesson in 2018. According to ESPN.com’s Eric Williams, head coach Jon Gruden talked about his desire to take safety Derwin James in the first round, but former general manager Reggie McKenzie selected Karl Joseph (2016) and Obi Melifonwu (2017) at the same position over the last two drafts:

Oakland waived Melifonwu in August, in large part because he couldn’t stay healthy, and Joseph opened the 2018 campaign as a backup. The West Virginia product had a decent finish to the year but hasn’t played up his fullest potential in three seasons. Meanwhile, James became a rookie All-Pro, logging 75 solo tackles, 13 pass breakups, 3.5 sacks and three interceptions.

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The Raiders absolutely needed a left tackle, which is why the decision to trade back from No. 10 to No. 15 for Kolton Miller makes sense. Still, quarterback Derek Carr took 51 sacks. The UCLA product battled through multiple knee ailments but allowed a league-high 16 sacks and the third-most pressures (65), per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Knee maladies likely affected his play, but those numbers are troubling when you consider he’s not the only player in NFL history to suit up with an injury.

James wouldn’t have significantly improved a 4-12 team, but when is it ever justifiable to say, “we don’t need an All-Pro talent because a need has been addressed.” Never.

Rookie defensive tackles P.J. Hall and Maurice Hurst delivered a mixed bag in their first year.

Hall, the second-round pick, battled a sprained ankle, appeared in 14 contests, started six, and logged 16 solo tackles and two pass breakups. He barely moved the needle. That doesn’t mean the Sam Houston State product won’t become a solid contributor, but Hall hasn’t done enough to convince team brass to overlook a potential upgrade at the position.

Hurst, the Raiders’ 2018 fifth-round selection, led the team in sacks with four. He played in 13 games, which included 10 starts. As an on-field talent, the Michigan product performed at the level of a high draft pick and should’ve been if not for his heart ailment — revealed during last year’s medical checkups at the NFL Scouting Combine.

For those who’d like to toss Eddie Vanderdoes and Justin Ellis into the equation on the interior, neither has shown signs of becoming a top-notch player either. Though, the latter has proved himself as a quality run-stopper. Still, it’s not a justifiable reason to move Williams down the big board in Oakland. The 21-year old can track down ball-carriers and quarterbacks as a three-down lineman capable of demanding a double-team. He logged 19.5 tackles for a loss and eight sacks in 2018.

Assuming Nick Bosa and Josh Allen go within the top three picks, the Silver and Black could still land a good defensive end with the fourth overall pick. Nonetheless, if general manager Mike Mayock and Gruden feel Williams possesses the tools to become an elite professional, they shouldn’t overthink the process — choose him to headline the 2019 draft class.

In today’s league, we’re witnessing a growing number of interior defensive linemen lead their clubs in sacks. Among the top three players in the category, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (20.5) listed No. 1 and Chris Jones (15.5), a defensive end in the Kansas City Chiefs’ 3-4 base defense ranked third. In that type of alignment, the outside linebackers (Dee Ford and Justin Houston) are the primary pass-rushers.

If you’re holding on to the mindset that perimeter pass-rushers should lead the team in sacks, let it go. It’s possible the front line’s best penetrator makes the biggest impact breaking through the middle.

The Raiders recorded just 13 sacks and ranked 30th against the run. Williams could provide a boost in both areas. Don’t wrap your heads around what position he plays, think about what a dynamic interior defensive lineman brings to the table for a defense in need of a new star playmaker.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.