Oakland Raiders: Post-Combine 7-Round 2019 mock draft
T.J. Edwards. 196. 28. LB. Pick Analysis. Wisconsin. player. Scouting Report
This could’ve been the year the Raiders took an off-ball linebacker before Day 3 of the draft, but Devin White and Devin Bush went in the top 20. There’s no way you pick either and leave (Quinnen) Williams on the board. Mack Wilson went No. 31 overall to the Los Angeles Rams.
Guenther’s scheme values the cornerback position. When he served as a defensive play-caller for the Cincinnati Bengals, the front office selected two cornerbacks, Darqueze Dennard and William Jackson, in the first rounds of the 2014 and 2016 drafts. That explains (Byron) Murphy at No. 24 in this simulation. Finally, Carr needed a No. 1 wideout, and (A.J.) Brown satisfies that need. Those acquisitions come before an off-ball linebacker.
Following the top three names, it’s difficult to pinpoint a complete linebacker prospect ready to start right away and cover the length of the field on the ground and in coverage. As a result, here we are picking another linebacker in the later rounds — just like old times under former general manager Reggie McKenzie.
The Raiders should throw all the money possible at free agent linebacker C.J. Mosley. In the event he signs elsewhere, T.J. Edwards can provide solid coverage in the middle of the field.
Through four seasons at Wisconsin, Edwards recorded 10 interceptions and 15 pass breakups. Before the combine, he dropped 15 pounds for added quickness, per Zierlein. At 6-0, 230 pounds, the former Badger is the ideal size for today’s off-ball linebacker expected to clean up plays on the weak side, occasionally run down on a blitz or shadow pass-catchers to defend the short passing game.
Among the Raiders linebackers, Nicholas Morrow is most equipped to handle coverage duties; he played 40.47 percent of the defensive snaps last year. Oakland needs more athleticism at the position. Edwards may not emerge as an immediate starter, but he’s projected as a solid second-level defender in nickel packages with a potential role on the weak side in the base formation.
Edwards flashed all over the field at Wisconsin with 366 total tackles, 37.5 resulting in a loss and eight sacks to go along with his impressive production in coverage.