If you want a masterclass in dealing, watch the Raiders, who turned every swap into a profit this weekend.
The edge rusher hole is the one line item this class does not answer. Getting Flournoy where they did is the sort of value that quietly makes a class. The Owens reach is the anchor dragging on the value grade.
The Raiders clearly valued win-now help, adding bodies who have done it before.
In sum, a sensible class that nudges the roster the right way.
Pick-by-Pick
R1.18
· Pick 18
· Taliese Fuaga
· OT
· rank 16
In the 18th overall pick they get a plug-and-play piece up front at fair value. The biggest hole, addressed.
R2.12
· Pick 44
· Edgerrin Cooper
· LB
· rank 49
A market-rate linebacker, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Edgerrin Cooper. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
R2.17
· Pick 49
· Christian Haynes
· OG
· rank 65
A reach on Christian Haynes in pick 49; the board had better options right there. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
R3.13
· Pick 77
· Jaylen Wright
· RB
· rank 71
They did well to land Jaylen Wright in pick No. 77, just ahead of his grade. A need, and now a little less of one.
R4.12
· Pick 112
· Elijah Jones
· CB
· rank 115
No drama and no debate, Elijah Jones went about where he belonged in the Round 4 slot. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
R4.18
· Pick 118
· Johnny Wilson
· WR
· rank 125
Johnny Wilson in Round 4, Pick 18 is exactly on the number, no argument either way. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
R5.12
· Pick 148
· Dwight McGlothern
· CB
· rank 161
The board had cheaper options than Dwight McGlothern at pick 148, and it noticed. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
R6.33
· Pick 208
· Garret Greenfield
· OT
· rank 217
They paid up for Garret Greenfield at Round 6, Pick 33 when waiting would have done the job. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
R7.3
· Pick 223
· Ryan Flournoy
· WR
· rank 205
A wide receiver of that caliber at pick No. 223 is the definition of value, full stop. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
R7.9
· Pick 229
· Michael Barrett
· LB
· rank 236
A straight-up fair deal on Michael Barrett at the Round 7 slot, value and slot in agreement. Pure best-available; the position was not exactly begging.
R7.17
· Pick 237
· Tyler Owens
· S
· rank 255
Tyler Owens at slot 237 is the pick scouts circle, and not in a good way. Depth more than a fix, but depth they can use.