Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
In the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders couldn’t have asked for much more potential than they got with Virginia defensive end Max Valles.
While he still has a ways to go before he’s ready to be an impact player in the NFL, Valles is an outstanding physical specimen with the potential to develop into a quality contributor for the Raiders. He’s an impressive athlete with great acceleration, burst and quickness, but lacks the size or functional strength to consistently stand up to NFL offensive linemen.
However, with a season or two of work (and a lot of time in the weight room), Valles could develop the strength necessary to be a standout outside linebacker and situational edge rusher. He displayed excellent burst and edge-bending ability during his days with the Cavaliers, and has the potential to serve as a rotational pass rusher behind Khalil Mack and Sio Moore at outside linebacker.
It’s certainly going to take some coaching and weight training to get Valles where he needs to be, but he brings the type of potential the Raiders would love to have on the edge. If Oakland’s coaching staff can get him to put the peddle to the metal, Valles could be a true impact player for the Raiders in a year or two.
It’s not impressive that the Raiders continue to add linebackers, but at least Valles offers the type of potential the Raiders need to improve the roster in the near future.
