With The First Pick
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Obi Melifonwu Another Perfect Pick for Oakland Raiders

By Carl Cockerham

Nov 19, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston College Eagles wide receiver Michael Walker (3) is tackled by Connecticut Huskies safety Obi Melifonwu (20) during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston College Eagles wide receiver Michael Walker (3) is tackled by Connecticut Huskies safety Obi Melifonwu (20) during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 25, 2017; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo of Syracuse (17) runs a pass route against safety Obi Melifonwu of Connecticut (20) during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2017; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad wide receiver Amba Etta-Tawo of Syracuse (17) runs a pass route against safety Obi Melifonwu of Connecticut (20) during Senior Bowl practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports /

Scheme Fit

As you know, the Raiders run Cover 1 and Cover 3 all day and Melifonwu is the perfect fit for that. And the fact that he’ll be playing with Karl Joseph makes an even more perfect fit. Joseph, who’s 100 percent now, can cover the slot on 3-WR sets in Cover 1.

On that occasion, Melifonwu has all the range in the world to cover the back end. When there’s a big WR or a TE in the slot, Melifonwu can cover him and Joseph can take the back end. During Senior Bowl Week, he played a lot of CB out on the island and did well.

So Melifonwu can go out on that island and cover a big WR in a pinch for Sean Smith. The opposing team could just have one big WR too many and he goes out on the island for that too. But Melifonwu’s main job will be to cover TEs one on one when they are in Cover 1.

There are a lot of big, athletic TEs going into the NFL these days that are matchup nightmares. But Melifonwu will be able to match up just fine with the unique size and skillset he has. Guys like Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce won’t be the problem they used to be for the Raiders.

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