Did the Raiders take full advantage of three 1st-round picks?

The Oakland Raiders may have more pressure to hit on the 2019 NFL draft class than any team in the NFL, but their first-round returns leave a bit to be desired.

The first round of the 2019 NFL draft is in the books, and it wasn’t without its fair share of surprises, especially in the top 10. The Oakland Raiders had the biggest head-scratcher early Thursday night in what ultimately ended up being a less-than-inspiring first-round haul.

Oakland entered the first round in prime position to rebuild their franchise with three high-impact difference-makers, especially with the No. 4 pick. And while they ended the day with three quality players, it feels like they could’ve done better.

Clelin Ferrell was selected with the first of their three first-rounders (No. 4 overall). He was widely regarded as a prospect who would come off the board somewhere between the mid-teens and early-20’s. So, yeah, this was a reach.

Ferrell will be a very solid pro. He’s a reliable three-down defender with pass-rushing upside, but his ceiling isn’t nearly as high as Josh Allen’s, who was ripe for the Raiders’ taking. I’d argue he doesn’t have as much upside as Ed Oliver, either, who slid to the Bills at No. 9.

Oakland used their second selection on former Alabama running back, Josh Jacobs. This was probably their best pick of the first round because it matched good value with a glaring need. Jacobs will be a Day-1 starter in Oakland, but this roster isn’t a running back away from being a perennial playoff contender. They could’ve used more beef up front or help in the secondary.

More from Las Vegas Raiders

Then came the 27th pick, Mississippi State safety Johnathan Abram. Sure, he’s a heavy-hitter who will upgrade the overall talent level of the defensive backfield, but with all of the top cornerbacks still on the board, Oakland could’ve added a more valuable starter with their last first-round pick. A player like Greedy Williams or Byron Murphy would’ve made more sense and maybe they’ll have another chance at one or both of them at the top of the second round. But it’s a big role of the dice and one they could’ve avoided.

Three starters in three picks? Sure, that’s never a bad thing. But will those starters really transform the Raiders? It certainly doesn’t feel that way.

Home/Las Vegas Raiders