Answering your Raiders-related questions about the NFL Draft

It’s almost time to throw away your mock drafts and big boards and advanced metric projections because the 2018 NFL Draft begins today!

The Raiders pick at No. 10, but we’ll see if they stay in that slot.

Let’s answer some questions.

Are the Raiders really gonna be stupid and draft an OT at 10 when there are elite defenders available? (@BASED_GUTS)

I wouldn’t call it stupid if they take Notre Dame’s Mike Mcglinchey, just maybe not as wise as taking one of those defenders. Don’t get me wrong — right tackle is a gaping hole that needs to be filled. Mcglinchey would be a sturdy pick if the Raiders elect to trade back in the first round, but a top-tier linebacker, cornerback, safety or defensive tackle would be a better pick to me with the likes of Roquan Smith, Tremaine Edmunds, Denzel Ward, Vita Vea, etc. potentially still available.

Would Reggie (Mckenzie, Raiders general manager) be on board with Vea or Roquan at 10, or would that require a (coach Jon) Gruden overrule? (@stewg37)

People are making too much fuss about the Mckenzie/gruden dynamic with words like overrule and power and authority. They’ll be on board with whoever the best player available on their big board is, according to Reggie, and that could very well be Vita Vea or Roquan Smith.

Will the Raiders draft a running back at some point? (@ Raidermatt5204)

I wouldn’t be surprised if they took one, say, in Round 4. They can upgrade from Jalen Richard/ Deandre Washington, and this draft is deep with running backs. Just because the Raiders have Marshawn Lynch, Doug Martin, Richard and Washington, doesn’t mean they’re done adding. Guys like San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny, Arizona State’s Kalen Ballage and Oregon’s Royce Freeman, among others, could be mid-round options.

What are the top 3 pressing needs? (@Raidermatt5204)

In my opinion: 1) linebacker*, 2) defensive tackle, 3) cornerback ... the asterisk assumes Navorro Bowman won’t be back, though he could be. The answer is based on what the Raiders currently have on their roster, which doesn’t include Bowman.

Would it be a mistake to draft another safety at 10, or should LB, or cornerback be taken without question? (@malikjaru)

By no means would it be a mistake to take a Derwin James or Minkah Fitzpatrick at No. 10. The Raiders have Karl Joseph, Marcus Gilchrist and Obi Melifonwu as the top three safeties, but Melifonwu is still unproven and you don’t know what you’re getting out of Gilchrist just yet. With Oakland, more talented defensive backs is never a bad thing. I don’t think there’s a “without question” aspect to this pick, because the Raiders have a handful of pressing needs. They really can’t go wrong.

What players would you like to see the Raiders target on Day 2? (@Evansanders_15)

I think the Raiders would be wise to target offensive skill positions, whether that be at running back or wide receiver. A running back who doubles as a pass-catcher or a No. 3 wide receiver to upgrade from Seth Roberts would make Derek Carr and the offense much better. Then again, nobody will blame the Raiders if they go defense on Day 2.

Think the Raiders might be aggressive in round 1 and have two picks? (@fcali002)

I definitely think there’s a chance. If Maurice Hurst or an offensive tackle they like is still on the board in the late first round, I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Raiders trade into the first round from No. 41. You can never put anything past Gruden.