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BasicBasics
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Grumzy DRAFTING FOR THERaiders
Draft Selections
Draft Picks Received
Draft Picks Traded
Draft Grade — Raiders
Overall
B-
ValueB-
NeedB
TradesC+
FutureB-
Mendoza is the Raiders' new face under center. Grade: B-. They finally answered the question that shadows every other one. Fernando Mendoza is the Raiders' quarterback, full stop. Nothing here to lose sleep over; call it a B-.
Nowakowski has a lot of ground to make up just to look fairly priced. Boettcher falling to them is the kind of break a good board is built to catch. The edge rusher spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at.
A competent weekend that does not make headlines and does not need to.
Pick Analysis
Pick1
Rnd1
Fernando Mendoza
In the 1st overall pick they get the face of the franchise. A clean fit for the roster.
Pick36
Rnd2
Denzel Boston
Nothing to complain about; Denzel Boston went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
Pick67
Rnd3
Lee Hunter
The board fumbled Lee Hunter all the way to pick No. 67, and they scooped it up. A need, and now a little less of one.
Pick111
Rnd4
Jalon Kilgore
Jalon Kilgore at the 111th pick is a sound buy, the sort that quietly helps a class. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
Pick117
Rnd4
Genesis Smith
They read the board right and Genesis Smith was the payoff at slot 117. Useful depth more than a marquee fix.
Pick134
Rnd4
J.C. Davis
A market-rate offensive lineman, with the board and the slot shaking hands on J.C. Davis. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
Pick180
Rnd5
Riley Nowakowski
Value said wait; Riley Nowakowski in Round 5, Pick 40 says they were not listening. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Pick185
Rnd6
Kaelon Black
Kaelon Black in pick 185 is a bet on their own eyes over everyone else's grade. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Pick208
Rnd6
Bryce Boettcher
Taking Bryce Boettcher in slot 208 is close to grand larceny; a linebacker that good had no business lasting this long. It adds depth where they could use a little.
Pick219
Rnd7
VJ Payne
VJ Payne in the 219th overall pick should not have been possible, and that is the whole point. Pure best-available; the position was not exactly begging.
Pick246
Rnd7
Eli Heidenreich
No edge and no loss on Eli Heidenreich in No. 246; it is a wash and a sensible one. A glaring weakness, addressed head on.
Pick257
Rnd7
Jalon Daniels
A conviction pick on Jalon Daniels at pick No. 257 that the board grades a round light. It fills a real need, too.















