Oakland Raiders 2014 NFL Draft: The Players, The Picks, The Fit
By Ben Natan
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Khalil Mack (Buffalo) poses for a photo with commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number five overall pick in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft to the Oakland Raiders at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Khalil Mack, Buffalo
6’3″, 251 LBs.
The Player
Khalil Mack is awesome. He can make an impact from all over the field as a pass rusher, a run stopper and a coverage linebacker. He has size, speed, strength and has great read and react ability. He can play multiple positions and make an impact from any of the,.
The Pick
Mack is one of my highest ranked players in this class, this is a great pick and I believe this is one of the best players in this draft.
The Fit
For Dennis Allen, Mack can be his Von Miller. Mack can dominate as a strong side linebacker in a 4-3 and then can come down and be an edge rusher in third down situations. He is a smart player with great ability and he should be a very good player from day one.
Dec 7, 2013; Fresno, CA, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs quarterback Derek Carr (4) looks towards the crowd after the Bulldogs defeated the Utah State Aggies 24-17 at Bulldog Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Derek Carr, QB, Fresno State
6’2″, 212 lbs.
The Player
Carr is one of the most physically gifted passers in this class. He has a rocket for an arm and is a very good athlete. He makes good decisions, but his accuracy would be much better if his footwork wasn’t such a mess. He has some mechanical issues to clean up, but he could potentially be one of the best QBs in this class.
The Pick
A top 20 talent who has franchise quarterback potential in the second round is a steal.
The Fit
I think the Raiders may want to go into the season with matt Schaub starting, but I feel that Carr will eventually find the field and establish himself as the long term starter.
Gabe Jackson, G, Mississippi St.
Nov 2, 2013; Columbia, SC, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs offensive linesman Gabe Jackson (61) in the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks defeated the Bulldogs 34-16. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
6’3″, 336 Lbs.
The Player
Jackson is a massive player who can power through defenders in the run game and has a great anchor to pass block with. He is not a very agile player, but he makes up for his lack in lateral agility with very good length.
The Pick
Another steal by the Raiders. One of the top guards in the draft fell into their lap in the first round.
The Fit
I think that Oakland got a day one starter in Jackson and I think he can be good from day one as well.
Justin Ellis, DT, LATech
Nov 9, 2013; Ruston, LA, USA; Southern Miss Golden Eagles quarterback Nick Mullens (14) is sacked by Louisiana Tech Bulldogs defensive tackle Justin Ellis (70) during the first quarter at Joe Aillet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
6’1″, 334 lbs.
The Player
Ellis is a powerful player who has very good quickness and can disrupt the interior of a defense. Very well rounded defender.
The Pick
Another steal by the Raiders.
The Fit
Ellis could figure into their rotation and I think that he could be an impact player at the one tech from the first game.
Keith McGill, CB, Utah
6’3″, 211 lbs.
The Player
McGill has very impressive size and has the ability to throw receivers off rhythm at the line of scrimmage with his press abilities. However, his physicality in coverage is maddeningly inconsistent and he just does not play the run. Also, he is not very fluid. Not to mention he is a 25 year old rookie.
The Pick
This is the Raiders first reach of the draft. Looks even worse when you realize Pierre Desir was on the board.
The Fit
The Raiders obviously want to get more physical on defense and, if a coach can get into his head, McGill can bring that physicallity. There is a lot to like about McGill, he just has to fine tune a lot of things. He may see some starting time outside, but he is likely a special teams player.
Travis Carrie, CB, Ohio
6′, 206 lbs.
The Player
He is not a very good athlete, but he has good recognition abilities, plays the ball well and is physical both in coverage and when playing the run. He has some serious health concerns as he had open heart surgery a few years ago.
The Pick
There is a lot to like about Carrie, so I could see him as a good project player this late.
The Fit
I doubt he sees much starting time, but he could definitely contribute on special teams.
Shelby Harris, DE, Illinois St.
The Player
Shelby is a very good athlete who plays with tremendous strength, functional length and motor. He can bend the edge and defeat blocks against the run. He is still very raw and his being dismissed from two different schools is a worry, but he could be a decent player down the line if he stays on track.
The Pick
Another late round, high upside project. I approve.
The Fit
Harris figures as a special teams player if he makes the roster and maybe could develop his tools and get some snaps at defensive end.
Jonathan Dowling, S, WKU
6’3″, 190 lbs.
The Player
Dowling is an incredibly rangy safety with very good ball skills. He can lower the boom, but he is really inconsistent as a tackler and run defender. He could withstand to add a lot of weight to his frame to make himself more effective coming down hill.
The Pick
A steal. Dowling can play the centerfield right now and has loads of upside. Low risk pick with his upside.
The Fit
Dowling is going to start on special teams, but slowly could get more and more snaps. Learning from Charles Woodson could be a blessing. Has big time potential.
Dec. 26, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas wide receiver Cody Wilson (11) makes catch while being tackled by Western Kentucky Hilltoppers defensive back Jonathan Dowling (1) in the second quarter of the 2012 Little Caesars Bowl at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports