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2015 NFL Draft Grades for the Oakland Raiders

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Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Raiders2015 NFL Draft class is finally in the books, and it was quite the interesting one. They made quite a few outstanding picks, while others made us all scratch our heads in wonderment. Leave it to GM Reggie McKenzie to find a way to screw up half of the team’s 10 picks.

Here are my grades for the Raiders’ ten picks. Sorry if you don’t like them, but I didn’t like many of the picks.

Round 1 (No. 4): Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Round 1 (No. 4): Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: A-

I have no problem with the Raiders selecting Amari Cooper -- they need a true No. 1 wide receiver, and he has the ability to be that type of player. However, it's a bit disappointing they passed up on Leonard Williams at No. 4. Still, they have to be happy with the significant upgrade to the passing game.

Grade: A-

I have no problem with the Raiders selecting Amari Cooper -- they need a true No. 1 wide receiver, and he has the ability to be that type of player. However, it's a bit disappointing they passed up on Leonard Williams at No. 4. Still, they have to be happy with the significant upgrade to the passing game.

Round 2 (No. 35): Mario Edwards Jr., DE, Florida State

Round 2 (No. 35): Mario Edwards Jr., DE, Florida State Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: B+

In terms of talent, Edwards had the makings of a first-round pick. Unfortunately, a down 2014 campaign that consisted of numerous inconsistencies from the former Seminole forced him to drop to the second round. Still, if the Raiders can light a fire under Edwards, he has the skill set to be a star along the Oakland front four.

Grade: B+

In terms of talent, Edwards had the makings of a first-round pick. Unfortunately, a down 2014 campaign that consisted of numerous inconsistencies from the former Seminole forced him to drop to the second round. Still, if the Raiders can light a fire under Edwards, he has the skill set to be a star along the Oakland front four.

Round 3 (No. 68): Clive Walford, TE, Miami (FL)

Round 3 (No. 68): Clive Walford, TE, Miami (FL) Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: B+

For the last few years, the Raiders have been looking for a quality tight end capable of making a big-time impact via the passing game. Mychal Rivera has done well, but Walford has the potential to be a go-to target. As long as he can improve as a blocker, the former Hurricane should be a starter in Oakland for years to come.

Grade: B+

For the last few years, the Raiders have been looking for a quality tight end capable of making a big-time impact via the passing game. Mychal Rivera has done well, but Walford has the potential to be a go-to target. As long as he can improve as a blocker, the former Hurricane should be a starter in Oakland for years to come.

Round 4 (No. 128): Jon Feliciano, G, Miami (FL)

Round 4 (No. 128): Jon Feliciano, G, Miami (FL) Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: B-

This certainly isn't a sexy pick, but it gets the job done. The Raiders need more blocking to help keep Derek Carr upright and give Latavius Murray more room to run. Feliciano is a versatile blocker with plenty of power in the running game. His pass blocking needs some work, but he should be able to push for playing time as a rookie.

Grade: B-

This certainly isn't a sexy pick, but it gets the job done. The Raiders need more blocking to help keep Derek Carr upright and give Latavius Murray more room to run. Feliciano is a versatile blocker with plenty of power in the running game. His pass blocking needs some work, but he should be able to push for playing time as a rookie.

Round 5 (No. 140): Ben Heeney, ILB, Kansas

Round 5 (No. 140): Ben Heeney, ILB, Kansas Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: A-

Heeney is a great value for the Raiders in the fifth round. The Kansas product has displayed outstanding consistency and smarts during his time with the Jayhawks, and should provide Oakland with quality depth at all three linebacker positions. Heeney will specifically excel on third downs, which the Raiders will gladly take advantage of.

Grade: A-

Heeney is a great value for the Raiders in the fifth round. The Kansas product has displayed outstanding consistency and smarts during his time with the Jayhawks, and should provide Oakland with quality depth at all three linebacker positions. Heeney will specifically excel on third downs, which the Raiders will gladly take advantage of.

Round 5 (No. 161): Neiron Ball, OLB, Florida

Round 5 (No. 161): Neiron Ball, OLB, Florida Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: F

The Raiders need players who can produce immediately, and that's not what Ball is. He has a number of medical flags draped around him, and lacks the overall physical skill set to make plays when he is healthy. Ball is a great person who has overcome adversity throughout his life, but he wasn't worth a fifth-round pick for the Raiders.

Grade: F

The Raiders need players who can produce immediately, and that's not what Ball is. He has a number of medical flags draped around him, and lacks the overall physical skill set to make plays when he is healthy. Ball is a great person who has overcome adversity throughout his life, but he wasn't worth a fifth-round pick for the Raiders.

Round 6 (No. 179): Max Valles, OLB, Virginia

Round 6 (No. 179): Max Valles, OLB, Virginia Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: A

For a sixth-round pick, the Raiders couldn't have asked for much more than Valles. Although he still needs some work with technique and strength, he's an excellent athlete with the speed and quickness to be a nuisance to opposing quarterbacks. With the right training, Valles should be an impact player within the next year or two.

Grade: A

For a sixth-round pick, the Raiders couldn't have asked for much more than Valles. Although he still needs some work with technique and strength, he's an excellent athlete with the speed and quickness to be a nuisance to opposing quarterbacks. With the right training, Valles should be an impact player within the next year or two.

Round 7 (No. 218): Anthony Morris, OT, Tennessee Tech

Round 7 (No. 218): Anthony Morris, OT, Tennessee Tech Twitter

Grade: D

You can't expect too much out of seventh-round picks, but Morris is still a stretch at this point. The small-school prospect offers marginal upside, and will have a difficult time making the adjustment to the NFL. He'll compete for a roster spot, and not much else.

Grade: D

You can't expect too much out of seventh-round picks, but Morris is still a stretch at this point. The small-school prospect offers marginal upside, and will have a difficult time making the adjustment to the NFL. He'll compete for a roster spot, and not much else.

Round 7 (No. 221): Andre Debose, WR, Florida

Round 7 (No. 221): Andre Debose, WR, Florida

Grade: B+

In terms of potential out of the seventh round, the Raiders couldn't have asked for much more than they'll get with Debose. When he first arrived at Florida, Debose was expected to be the next Percy Harvin. Although that never quite panned out, he's an excellent return specialist with the speed and explosiveness to develop into a quality receiver.

Grade: B+

In terms of potential out of the seventh round, the Raiders couldn't have asked for much more than they'll get with Debose. When he first arrived at Florida, Debose was expected to be the next Percy Harvin. Although that never quite panned out, he's an excellent return specialist with the speed and explosiveness to develop into a quality receiver.

Round 7 (No. 242): Dexter McDonald, CB, Kansas

Round 7 (No. 242): Dexter McDonald, CB, Kansas Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Grade: B

This pick could have been worse, but the Raiders got a solid cornerback near the end of the seventh round. He's got the size and speed that NFL teams look for in their coverage men, but lacks the physicality that completes the package. McDonald should compete for a subpackage spot, but may never be more than that in Oakland.

Grade: B

This pick could have been worse, but the Raiders got a solid cornerback near the end of the seventh round. He's got the size and speed that NFL teams look for in their coverage men, but lacks the physicality that completes the package. McDonald should compete for a subpackage spot, but may never be more than that in Oakland.

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