With The First Pick
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2019 NFL Draft: 5 free-agent moves that could impact 1st round

By Bryan Perez

BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 21: Wide Receiver John Brown #13 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - OCTOBER 21: Wide Receiver John Brown #13 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at M&T Bank Stadium on October 21, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Raiders sign OT Trent Brown to four-year, $66 million deal

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 25: Trent Brown #77 of the New England Patriots in action against the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on November 25, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 25: Trent Brown #77 of the New England Patriots in action against the New York Jets during their game at MetLife Stadium on November 25, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

The Raiders signed former Patriot Trent Brown to a monster contract just minutes after the tampering period opened in free agency, and it’s a move that immediately called into question their projection for Kolton Miller, last year’s first-round pick who will now be kicked over to right tackle.

Here’s the thing: tackle wasn’t necessarily high on the Raiders’ draft board coming into the draft, as most analysts are assuming Oakland will go edge rusher in the first round. But their quick strike on Brown in free agency is clear evidence that the team prioritized offensive tackle on their list of needs. And if, for some reason, they couldn’t secure Brown, a player like Alabama’s Jonah Williams or Florida’s Jawaan Taylor would’ve very much been in play at No. 4 overall.

The highest either player (Willams or Taylor) is projected to come off the board in the first round is No. 3 to the Jets, but with the Raiders and Buccaneers addressing tackle in free agency, if New York doesn’t go offensive tackle, we could have a top-five grouping that does not include one of the game’s most coveted positions. And the Giants, at No. 6 overall, will do cartwheels.

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