Oakland Raiders 2013 NFL Mock Draft, Week 6: 7 Rounds
Oakland Raiders: 7-Round 2013 NFL Mock Draft
The 2013 NFL Draft is fast approaching and the decisions are getting more difficult for the Oakland Raiders.
Oakland has signed a lot of players in the past week or so, which shifts around exactly what Reggie McKenzie will be looking for in April. The Raiders are starting to fill some of their more obvious holes and fix last year’s weaknesses.
By no means is Oakland’s roster complete, and many would say it is among the worst in the NFL. There are still a lot positions the Raiders can draft for, but of course it is tough to judge which position is more important to the organization. I looked at the value Oakland could get for some players later in the draft and picked positions with the least amount of depth earlier.
As has been the case for many weeks now, Oakland’s seven picks are not in good enough positions to get multiple starters unless it hits the jackpot in the later rounds. The Raiders have four picks in the final two rounds and are without a second-round selection thanks to the deal with the Cincinnati Bengals that brought Carson Palmer to Oakland. The trade itself is devastating for rebuilding the roster with players who will come in and compete for playing time right away, especially since Oakland got only a sixth-rounder in return for Palmer when he was dealt to the Arizona Cardinals.
This week’s mock draft does not have many changes, although it is possible it will be very fluid as the draft approaches and Oakland continues to sign more players. The Raiders’ needs are almost impossible to predict at this point, but one thing is for sure, Oakland will surprise us on draft day.
Until then enjoy my feeble attempt at predicting the chaos.
1st Round (No. 3): Sharrif Floyd
All signs continue to point to Floyd being the selection at No. 3. The Raiders have upgraded every position on defense except defensive tackle. Floyd is the safer pick of the two top defensive tackles, but Oakland wouldn’t go wrong with either of them. The Raiders need a really athletic defensive lineman, and Floyd fits that spot.
3rd Round (66): Alvin Bailey
I have a gut feeling, Oakland will look for a big offensive lineman to help with the power run game. Bailey’s strong suit is in run blocking and he is surprisingly quick for his size. He can play both guard spots and can contend for playing time right away.
4th Round (100): Leon McFadden
McFadden is the perfect nickel back for the Raiders if they can get him here. The gritty defensive back has the speed and agility to stay with receivers at the next level, always important when dealing with slot receivers. The only issue is his height, which may prohibit him from being a top corner in this league, but is perfect for covering the normally smaller wideouts in the slot.
6th Round (172): Jake Stoneburner
Stoneburner has the talent to easily replace Brandon Myers’ production at tight end and more. He is very athletic with soft hands and is almost like another receiver on the field. His blocking skills are not spectacular, but that is something he can work on. Oakland can’t expect much of a complete player given it’s a sixth-round pick, but the Raiders will be rewarded handsomely in the passing game if they pull the trigger.
6th Round (176): Sean Renfree
Until Oakland definitively signs a quarterback, Renfree stays on my board. He has a great arm, excellent smarts and was tutored by one of the best quarterback coaches in college football. It won’t hurt to bring him in and see what he can do as a sixth-round selection and if he performs the way I think he can, he may be competing for the backup role by midseason.
6th Round (205): Alec Lemon
Oakland needs another vertical threat opposite Denarius Moore. Although the Raiders have some talented wideouts, they are still unproven and bringing in some competition won’t hurt. Lemon is big and has excellent hands and even if he’s a fourth or fifth option, he will develop into a solid receiver in the near future.
7th Round (209): Nick Clancy
If you haven’t figured out by now, I absolutely love Clancy’s pro prospects. He does not have the raw skills and technique, but he produces on a high level. His 140 tackles this season was impressive and what was even more shocking was how well he ran the field to make the tackles. He has incredible instincts and will find a way to make a big impact at the next level.
