The Raiders did not reach, did not trade up, did not blink. They just waited, and Quinshon Judkins fell into the 142nd pick. They moved the roster forward and banked a B for it.
They will regret leaving edge rusher for another day if the season turns on it. The Milroe pick is the one the value grade keeps tripping over.
They went 5 of 8 on their needs, which is most of what a draft is for. They came away with juice, if not much beef up front.
Solid rather than spectacular, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Pick-by-Pick
R1.6
· Pick 6
· Ashton Jeanty
· RB
· rank 2
A reasonable price with a little left over, Ashton Jeanty in the 6th pick. One more legitimate question on the roster, answered.
R2.5
· Pick 37
· Jalen Milroe
· QB
· rank 50
A reach for Jalen Milroe in the Round 2 slot; a little patience would have been rewarded. The roster fit checks out.
R3.4
· Pick 68
· Tyler Booker
· OG
· rank 37
They barely believed it either: Tyler Booker still on the board at pick No. 68. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
R3.9
· Pick 73
· Jihaad Campbell
· LB
· rank 38
Steal is underselling it; Jihaad Campbell at the 73rd overall pick is a heist with the alarm still ringing. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
R4.5
· Pick 106
· Andrew Mukuba
· S
· rank 71
Andrew Mukuba at pick 106 is the steal of the weekend, a first-round talent at a bargain-bin price. It adds depth where they could use a little.
R5.5
· Pick 142
· Quinshon Judkins
· RB
· rank 73
The board fumbled Quinshon Judkins all the way to No. 142, and they scooped it up. Another box on the needs board, quietly ticked.
R6.3
· Pick 178
· Dorian Strong
· CB
· rank 160
Circle this one: Dorian Strong at Round 6, Pick 3 is a fall that decides a draft. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
R6.37
· Pick 212
· Ja'Corey Brooks
· WR
· rank 194
Somehow Ja'Corey Brooks was still sitting there in slot 212, and they pounced on premier wide receiver value. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
R6.41
· Pick 216
· Roc Taylor
· WR
· rank 229
The board had cheaper options than Roc Taylor at Round 6, Pick 41, and it noticed. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
R7.6
· Pick 222
· Jack Kiser
· LB
· rank 182
You do not let a linebacker like Jack Kiser reach the 222nd pick and blink. They did not. Pure best-available; the position was not exactly begging.