STRENGTHSA speedy, athletic linebacker with the skills to make plays outside the box, Ben Heeney flashed on a Kansas team that lacked NFL talent. Heeney lived behind the line of scrimmage in 2014 and showed impressive motor when attacking ball-carriers. He's a bit of a freelancer, but it tends to work for him. He attacks the offense, and the net result is big plays. WEAKNESSESMissed tackles are a major issue for Heeney, and they are what keep him ranked lower than other linebackers here. Part of Heeney being a freelancer who makes big plays is that he completely blows plays, too. ...
Jon Feliciano has been drafted by the Raiders. Watch as our NFL draft experts grade the pick, provide a full scouting report and detail what he brings to Oakland.Read more Oakland Raiders news on BleacherReport.com
The Oakland Raiders filled two roster voids at defensive end and tight end on Day 2 of the NFL draft after taking care of wide receiver on Day 1.
The remaining void is at guard, a position currently held by Khalif Barnes. Expect general manager Reggie McKenzie to continue playing it safe and address his final need with the fourth-round pick.
The subsequent picks become the most intriguing of the draft. It’ll reveal where the Raiders’ brass feel they need the most help in terms of depth or competition for the starters.
Will the Raiders draft another cornerback or wide receiver? Both positions have ...
Move over Mychal Rivera, Clive Walford is here to take your job as the Oakland Raiders starting end in 2015.
The Raiders’ front office couldn’t wait for the outcome of Jermaine Gresham’s recovery process. McKenzie and co. drafted high on a TE with the No. 68 overall pick. The TE position isn’t a high-priority role in the league, but the Raiders need the extra protection across the offensive line.
Rivera was the team’s third-best receiver but a disaster in run-blocking schemes, registering the worst rating among starting TEs, per Pro Football Focus, at minus -17.3.
Walford steps in as a better inline blocker ...
STRENGTHSA silky-smooth tight end with a basketball background, Clive Walford has huge upside. Walford dominated the Senior Bowl, showing athleticism, a feel for space and a big catch radius. Walford is a very good move-blocker who can seal off the edge with an angle block and does well getting off his initial assignment to get to the second level. He effectively uses his 34-inch arms to lock out defenders and is a tough player at the point of attack. He’s a three-down tight end with the versatility to play in-line, in motion or flexed into the slot. It wouldn’t be ...
There’s only one word to describe the Oakland Raiders second-round pick. Baffling.
Mario Edwards Jr. could very well become an impact player, but he doesn’t fit the Raiders’ needs off the edge. McKenzie needed a pass-rusher that would be the heir to Justin Tuck or a specialist on obvious passing downs, and they get neither from Edwards.
The Florida State defensive lineman is a 6’3”, 279-pound run-stopping 3-4 DE. The Raiders have already improved their run defense by signing defensive tackle Dan Williams and inside linebacker Curtis Lofton. Adding a run-stopper off the edge wasn’t necessary with Mack’s versatile skill set as ...
STRENGTHSThe athleticism of a defensive end in the body of a defensive tackle, Mario Edwards will wow people with his movement skills. He is very intriguing because of his ability to move around the defense and play multiple positions. At Florida State, he put his hand in the dirt, stood up off the edge and occasionally kicked inside to a tackle position, too. His power off the snap is impressive, and he’ll put linemen on skates with a bull rush. He's at his best in the run game, where he shows passion and toughness at the point of attack. WEAKNESSESThe lack of ...
The Oakland Raiders selected Amari Cooper No. 4 overall in the 2015 NFL draft on Thursday, grabbing a wide receiver in the opening round for the first time since the Great Darrius Heyward-Bey Experiment of 2009.
The following is a picture of the newly stamped Raider posing with Oakland wideout coach Rob Moore. According to the team's Twitter manager, this is Cooper's "game face":
Raiders fever: Catch it!
For what it's worth, NFL.com's Ian Rapoport says Oakland was Cooper's desired destination:
Hey—some people smile by not smiling.
Dan is on Twitter, basking in the mirth.Read more Oakland Raiders news on BleacherReport.com
The Oakland Raiders left their fans super excited or stunned after selecting Amari Cooper as the No. 4 overall pick on Day 1 of the NFL draft.
Leonard Williams was available with Oakland on the clock. He and Cooper have been connected to the Raiders leading up to the draft per Bleacher Report's Matt Miller. I'm sure the debate in the war room was heated, but Cooper was the consensus pick.
The coaching staff may receive more of the credit for the selection, but Reggie McKenzie signed off on it.
According to Mercurynews.com’s Jerry McDonald, the Raiders’ general manager was pleased with the ...