Welcome to draft week! Hope everyone had a good Easter. But now it's time to turn an eye toward to the draft to predict which players the Raiders will select in the hopes they will rise them from the dead (see what I did there?).
Let's get it going.
Round 1, pick 10: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
*MOCK TRADE* — The Raiders trade their pick at six overall to the Chicago Bears for their selections at 10th overall and 41 overall.
The Raiders get the best receiver in this draft and it happens to be right around where he is ranked in this draft. In McMillan they get an instant starting X receiver across from Jakobi Meyers. Between McMillan and Brock Bowers, Geno Smith shouldn't have much trouble finding a receiver to throw the ball to. Both are mismatches for most cornerbacks and safeties.
Round 2, pick 37: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama
I struggled with this one. But only because it's very possible Booker is gone by this point. He is considered the best pure guard in this draft, after all. His addition would upgrade the Raiders guard position, immediately giving them a sure starter, leaving Alex Cappa, Jordan Meredith, and Dylan Parham to battled for the other starting spot and primary backup.
Round 2, pick 41: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State
Pete Carroll lands his workhorse back while Chip Kelly gets the agile bruiser from his National Championship offense.
Round 3, pick 68: Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State
The Raiders uncovered Nate Hobbs in the fifth round four years ago. He left in free agency this year and the Raiders go about replacing him with their third round pick, nabbing Parrish.
Round 4, pick 108: Jeffrey Bassa, LB, Oregon
The former safety played weakside linebacker his first two seasons with the Ducks and was the starting MIKE the past two seasons. His play in the senior bowl raised his stock which should have him coming off the board early on day three. He would instantly compete for snaps at weakside linebacker for the Raiders with potential to take over at middle linebacker down the road.
Round 4, pick 117: Will Howard, QB, Ohio State
*MOCK TRADE* Raiders send QB Aidan O'Connell and pick 143 to the Indianapolis Colts for pick 117
Howard just seems like the ideal fit for the Raiders. He found his stride in Chip Kelly's offense last season, playing his best football down the stretch and in the playoffs. He completed 73% of his passes on the season and upped it ti 75% in the playoffs. He just seems like the type of quarterback Tom Brady could take under his wing and mold into a good pro quarterback.
Round 6, pick 180: Hunter Wohler, S, Wisconsin
Raiders swapped out their safeties this offseason, but come out -1 overall. You can't have too much competition at the position or for special teams reps. The sixth round is a great place to find both. Wohler was a heat-seeking missile as a tackler for the badgers. He is limited to strong safety, but excels at that role as well as on kick coverage teams.
Round 6, pick 213: Cam Jackson, DT, Florida
A formidable 6-6, 328-pounder, Jackson would compete for snaps at nose tackle on early downs and short yardage situations.
Round 6, pick 215: Teddye Buchanan, LB, Cal
Has the type of football character Raiders GM John Spytek talks about. The fifth-year senior thrice led his team in tackles — twice at UC Davis and then again in his one season at Cal. The 6-2, 233-pounder would immediately thrive on special teams with eventual starting middle linebacker potential.
Round 7, pick 222: Jimmy Horn Jr, WR, Colorado
Horn lived in the shadow of Justin Hunter at Colorado, but did some solid work in his own rite. His 40 time won't wow you (4.46), but turn on the tape and you can see he is football fast. The 5-8 slot receiver is confident catching the ball at full speed over the middle. Hence why he had the fastest time in the gauntlet drill at the combine. He returns kicks and punts as well.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders 7-round mock draft: Trades, immediate starters, and upgrades
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