Say what you will about the drafts the Raiders have during Mike Mayock's time as GM, but he was previously and continues to be a respected authority on evaluating draft prospects. And with his experience running drafts in Las Vegas, these days he keeps a closer eye on the Silver & Black than most other teams.
Recently Mayock was asked in an interview with betway insider about what would be his ideal selection for the Raiders at sixth overall. He leaned on his experience when he and Gruden selected Josh Jacobs in the first round for what he thinks Pete Carroll should do.
"We drafted Josh Jacobs there, which was kind of the perfect fit for Jon Gruden and what he wanted to do. I think Ashton Jeanty from Boise State would be an ideal fit for what Pete Carroll wants to do. [In Seattle] Pete always ran the football downhill, physical, used play action with Russell Wilson. That was their identity, so I love the Ashton Jeanty fit there."
Jeanty is a popular pick for the Raiders in mock drafts of late. He is the top back in this class and many think he would be the best player available when the Raiders pick at six.
The drawback is the value of his position and the depth at running back in this class. Also, Mayock would probably like everyone to forget that through three years, Jacobs was not looking worth his selection and the Raiders declined his fifth-year option. Then they had to tag him to keep him only to watch him sign elsewhere a year later after a down year. So, it's important not to pretend that he was the no-brainer pick Mayock makes him out to be.
Mayock expanded to mention four players he likes for the Raiders with their pick atop the second round.
"They’ve got a wideout need. Emeka Egbuka or Ohio State or Luther Burden – one of those two guys might be there at [37]. They also got beat up a little bit in free agency in the defensive backfield so they could use a corner. Azareye’h Thomas from Florida State is a guy that I'm probably higher on than most people, and Trey Amos from Ole Miss are two logical guys who will be sitting there at [37]."
A lot of people have Egbuka pegged for the Raiders due in large part to his connection to Chip Kelly at Ohio State. In fact, a mock draft in The Athletic just this morning had the Raiders trading up to get Egbuka in the bottom of the first round. He is considered a late first/early second round guy, so getting him at 37 would be a good value. Same for Burden.
Mayock is probably right that one of them could very well be there when they are on the clock after the top three wideouts -- Travis Hunter, Tetairoa McMillan, and Mathew Golden -- who are all expected to be taken in the first round.
This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Mike Mayock lists 5 perfect fits for Raiders top NFL draft selections
