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Oakland Raiders: 7-Round 2019 NFL mock draft to start April

By Maurice Moton

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Deandre Baker #18 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates a play during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 08: Deandre Baker #18 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates a play during the second quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the CFP National Championship presented by AT&T at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 8, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 28: Oakland Raiders owner and managing general partner Mark Davis attends a game between the Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on February 28, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Panthers 6-5 in a shootout. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – FEBRUARY 28: Oakland Raiders owner and managing general partner Mark Davis attends a game between the Florida Panthers and the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on February 28, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Golden Knights defeated the Panthers 6-5 in a shootout. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

How should the Oakland Raiders approach the 2019 NFL draft following free agency? Did their acquisitions significantly change roster needs?

The Oakland Raiders signed 15 veterans during free agency. For the most part, the acquisitions won’t change their roster needs. It’s usually a good idea to have experienced, capable players at shallow positions before an unpredictable draft.

Going forward with mock draft 2.0, only one selection carried over from the first set of projections. Keep in mind these picks are based on The Draft Network’s simulation module to create situations team brass may face April 25-27. The predictions don’t include trades.

Since the last installation, the Raiders traded their third- and fifth-rounders to the Pittsburgh Steelers for wideout Antonio Brown. They also sent offensive guard Kelechi Osemele and a sixth-round pick to the New York Jets for a fifth-rounder. Obviously, the order will differ with two fewer selections.

With less draft ammunition, barring a trade-down situation, general manager Mike Mayock and head coach Jon Gruden have to show a little more precision with their choices to fill spots on the depth chart. Still, there’s a lot of pressure to nail the No. 4 overall pick, which partially dictates following selections. As always, it’s best to follow the big board to avoid unnecessary reaches and last-minute flubs.

How will the prospects fall for the Silver and Black? Who’s going to bolster the pass rush? Will a new tight end fill Jared Cook‘s role? Did Oakland grab a pure slot receiver? We’ll take a look at the latest full seven-round mock draft with the Raiders on the clock.

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