With The First Pick
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Gareon Conley the Perfect Pick for Oakland Raiders

By Carl Cockerham

Nov 5, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp (1) cannot pull in a pass in the first quarter under pressure from Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp (1) cannot pull in a pass in the first quarter under pressure from Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Gareon Conley runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Gareon Conley runs the 40 yard dash during the 2017 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Physical Talent and Skill

Every player in the NFL has physical talent and skill—that’s why they’re in the league. But your Pro Bowl and All-Pro players are on another level and that’s what first-round picks are supposed to become. Conley has the talent and skill in spades to become an All-Pro.

At 6’0″, 200 pounds with 33-inch long arms, he was made to play in press coverage. He also has the feet to mirror WRs without touching him, a gift he is criticized for using too often. Conley also has great instincts for that Cover-3 zone he played in at times at Ohio State.

That and his speed combines to give him great range to get to a football thrown in his zone too. Conley showed that speed and athleticism at the combine with a 4.44 40, a 37-inch vertical leap and 6.68 3-cone drill. And to go with all that, the high school WR has excellent ball skills.

At the post first-round press conference per the Raiders website McKenzie said of Conley:

"“As far as I’m concerned, he’s the type of corner you look for. I mean he is hard to get separation from. He can play the deep ball. He can play press. He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast, and he understands the game. You can tell he loves the game, the way he plays. Watching his tape, being around him, interviewing him, it was no question. We had no question about his skillset and his ability to play the game.”"

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