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18th draft
-
boulder12 DRAFTING FOR THERaiders
Draft Selections
Draft Picks Received
Draft Picks Traded
Players traded away
Maxx
Crosby
DE
Draft Grade — Raiders
Overall
D-
ValueC+
NeedB
TradesF
FutureB-
The Raiders drew a line under the quarterback search with Mendoza: D-. The Raiders lost the trade war and it was not close, handing partners the better end again and again.
So much rides on Fernando Mendoza that the rest of the class almost grades on a curve behind him. They will need Dennis-Sutton to outplay his draft slot in a hurry to justify it.
The tight end spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at. The Golday pick is the one they will point to when this weekend is judged.
Bottom line, they will be counting on several picks to beat their grades.
Pick Analysis
Pick1
Rnd1
Fernando Mendoza
In the 1st overall pick they get the face of the franchise. A clean fit for the roster.
Pick29
Rnd1
Dani Dennis-Sutton
In slot 29 they get a bendy edge with upside, a steep price for the projection. The biggest hole, addressed.
Pick36
Rnd2
Zion Young
Zion Young at No. 36 is a conviction pick that outran the value. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Pick61
Rnd2
Lee Hunter
The board had cheaper options than Lee Hunter at Round 2, Pick 29, and it noticed. It fills a real need, too.
Pick67
Rnd3
Zakee Wheatley
A market-rate safety, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Zakee Wheatley. Not urgent, but hardly pointless.
Pick93
Rnd3
Jake Golday
Nice patience on Jake Golday, who had no business lasting to pick 93. A must-fix position, and they treated it like one.
Pick112
Rnd4
Xavier Scott
Xavier Scott at the Round 4 slot is a sound buy, the sort that quietly helps a class. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
Pick117
Rnd4
Blake Miller
No drama and no debate, Blake Miller went about where he belonged in the 117th pick. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Pick135
Rnd4
CJ Daniels
CJ Daniels at Round 4, Pick 35 is right where the board had him, plain and simple. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Pick166
Rnd5
Terion Stewart
Terion Stewart in No. 166 is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. The roster fit checks out.
Pick168
Rnd5
Bryce Boettcher
Fair-plus on Bryce Boettcher, a quiet win that adds up over a draft. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
Pick176
Rnd5
Jaydn Ott
A reasonable price with a little left over, Jaydn Ott in the Round 5 slot. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Pick178
Rnd5
Lander Barton
They did well to land Lander Barton in pick 178, just ahead of his grade. Insurance at a position that did not really ask for it.
Pick181
Rnd6
Xavier Nwankpa
Xavier Nwankpa slid further than he should have, and the 181st overall pick is lovely value for the safety. They doubled down on a strength rather than a need.
Pick184
Rnd6
Kobe Baynes
Kobe Baynes in the 184th pick is a bargain the rest of the room will envy. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Pick206
Rnd6
Trey Zuhn III
No edge and no loss on Trey Zuhn III in slot 206; it is a wash and a sensible one. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Pick209
Rnd6
De'Zhaun Stribling
De'Zhaun Stribling in pick No. 209 is fair value, right on his grade. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.