With the regular season winding down, let's take another look at the Raiders draft board.
Current Top Targets
1. OLB Cedric Robins, Oklahoma - Cedric looks like the kind of player this team will hunt down, especially if the 3-4 takes hold for the long run. Has good instincts and pursuit ability, and should have to quickness to get where he needs to be. Size and coverage ability are concerns, however.
2. OLB Autin Williams, UCLA - More like 1-a, according to sources. Austin is noted delivering punishing hits on the field, but when he needs to break down and make a sure tackle, he has been inconsistent. That said, he has a head for the game, so any warts might just need refinement instead of being true weaknesses.
3. CB Courtney Callender, Nevada - Courtney looks like a prototypical man corner. He looks to have the speed to run with any WR and shows the best ball skills in man coverage. On one hand, this fits in with what the team is doing now. On the other hand, it does little for the team's ability to mix up coverages.
4. CB Sam Woodfaulk, Southern Miss - Sam has been rising up the boards lately as he's looking more and more like a diamond in the rough. Reports are that he's blazing fast and reads his keys well, minimizing the impact of deception like play action on him. He seems to be a mixed bag in coverage, but he also seems flexible and displays willingness to function under both a zone or man scheme.
5. LG Marcus Richardson, Arizona - Marcus is another rising fast on the boards as the offensive line struggles week after week with consistency. His awareness needs some time in the film room, but his foundational techniques are strong for a young player. That has him intriguing coaches.
6. RG Cale Welch, Ohio State - This young man is 6' 7" and is not afraid to use his size aggressively. Scouts fawned over how he beats on defenders that get near him in run blocking and is the perfect type of player to secure the point of attack. He gets lost a bit in pass protection, but he usually can diagnose what's happening before his QB pays the price. It is an area of concern at the next level, however.
7. DT Jerry Archer, BYU - Initially, this kid wasn't on the top interests list, but with the team switching to a 3-4, suddenly, this kind of DT takes on interest. He shows little desire for chase-and-tackle play, but he loves trying to power his way into the back field and plays with tremendous strength and leverage, staying low and driving his legs into the blockers. He could be a good NT prospect for the team.
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