2020 NFL Draft Since Gruden took over, this was by far the least active year for the Raiders in terms of draft-related trades. The most notable move came during the 2019 season when the Raiders traded corner Gareon Conley (a first-round pick in 2017) to the Texans for a third-round pick (No. 91). Besides that, they largely stood pat, which was to be expected considering they had two picks coming in from the Mack trade. They made just two trades on draft day: • Sent picks Nos. 91 and 159 to New England for picks Nos. 100, 139 and 172 • Sent picks Nos. 121 and 172 to Detroit for pick No. 109 They sent a third-rounder (No. 91) and a fifth-rounder (No. 159) pick to the Patriots for three selections (third-, fourth- and fifth-round picks). Pick No. 100 was used on linebacker Tanner Muse and pick No. 139 on cornerback Amik Robertson. The fifth-round pick from New England (No. 172) was packaged with the Raiders’ own fourth-rounder (No. 121) to move up to No. 109 for guard John Simpson. It’s hard to judge any of those players considering they’re coming off their rookie seasons, but Muse missed the entire 2020 season because of injury, Simpson got valuable experience by starting two games and playing in seven contests, and Robertson largely spent the year learning, as he played only 35 defensive snaps. Perhaps Muse becomes a special-teams ace, Simpson turns into a starter at guard and Robertson does the same thing at nickelback, but it’s too early to tell. This year is one we’ll have to come back to down the line. Outlook The Raiders did a poor job with their draft-day moves in 2018 and did an excellent job in 2019. It’s indeterminable how they did in 2020, but the returns will most likely fall somewhere in the middle. The Raiders need starters at offensive tackle, cornerback and safety. They could use some depth at linebacker, and it wouldn’t hurt to add developmental players at defensive end and defensive tackle. They may fill some of those needs through free agency but could also create new ones through roster moves by the time the system rolls around. That’ll all be considered when it comes to making the decision to hold on to all eight picks or not, but it’s fairly unlikely that zero draft-day trades are made. Of the 13 draft-day trades made since 2018, six have featured the Raiders trading down, five have seen them trade up, the 2019 deal with Jacksonville was a combination of both, and they’ve had one trade for a player (Bryant). It’s been a mixed bag in that area for Gruden, but that won’t stop him from being his usual aggressive and unpredictable self. There are only a few weeks to go before we see what comes of it.
Always up for good trades. We got picks for cap space by shedding 3 vets. No problem doing the reverse, provided the player and contracts fit/make sense obviously. I agree that we don’t need 8 rookies plus UDFA. Now that a player’s leverage has passed, hopefully we can strike a good deal or two.
Hahaha. What PFF said about our $1M WR: WR WILLIE SNEAD IV There’s a good chance that Snead will be looked at harshly, as symbolic of the lack of impact receivers in Baltimore and part of the issue of their passing game. Snead is a capable player in the right role, though. His best seasons came in New Orleans, but he has generated a passer rating of over 100.0 in three of his NFL seasons and caught upwards of 70% of passes thrown his way. Any team in need of an upgrade in the slot should be calling. Contract Analysis: Snead’s production could be viewed in a negative light because the Ravens didn’t get much out of their wide receiver group in 2020, but Snead had a larger role than perhaps he should have and was dependable out of the slot. He’s also now played well in one of the pass-happiest offenses in the NFL with the Saints, and then again with the run-heavy Ravens attack. Prediction: Snead signs for two years, $13.5 million ($6.75M APY), $6.75 million total guaranteed.
Waller, Brown, Ruggs, Renfrow, Edwards, Snead, and Moreau could be a damn fun receiving unit to watch, especially if Ruggs and Edwards make some improvement this year and Brown can stay healthy.
I don't think Moreau will get many snaps. I heard Gruden is bringing Tony G out of the booth to be the 2nd TE. He'll be getting $5M for 1 year.* *This is all tongue in cheek.
That WAS the plan. Mayock talked him down. Now they’re going to get Kellen Winslow Jr on work release. 6 packages of ramen, 4 packs of cigarettes, and a life alert bracelet. But, watch, PFF will say we got a bad deal.
The fact that you had to attach a disclaimer is telling. We all know it's well within the realm of possibility that Gruden would actually do it. Jon Gruden is a fuckwit.
Yeah... I actually thought of that as I was attaching the disclaimer. It's sad that the satire hits so close to the mark.
FantasyPros @FantasyProsNFL 2h Kenyan Drake draws more praise from Jon Gruden following aggressive pursuit https://t.co/NDnL5q8A2z via @AndersenPickard#fantasyfootball Blog / Website
I'm hoping I can snag Jacobs in the 2nd round in FF now. Guys are going to be scared off of him after the Drake signing.
#MOREWEAPONZZZ Vincent Bonsignore @VinnyBonsignore 5m One other Kenyan Drake tidbit. His ability to line up at WR means @Raiders can go fast/uptempo and create favorable mismatches without worrying about substitutions. Beat Writer / Columnist
