2017 NFL Mock Draft: Bears and Colts Shake Up Top 5

Tennessee. Derek Barnett . 19. player. 28. It’s really nice to see the Oakland Raiders playing good football against. The NFL is always better when the Silver and Black field a good team. That being said they still don’t quite have the look of a playoff team. It is true they are close. Very close. However there are some key issues with their roster that threaten to keep them out of January for at least one more year. <p>Perhaps the biggest one is the sudden disappearance of their pass rush. Khalil Mack is still a stud but teams have been able to control him so far this year. How is that possible? It comes down to two words: Aldon Smith. Nobody will want to admit it, but the Raiders really miss their other pass rusher. He took a lot of pressure off Mack, allowing him to thrive. With that presence missing, it’s just not the same.</p> <p>Since the Raiders can’t bank on Smith sticking around even if he returns, they have to find another pass rusher they can put opposite their star. Derek Barnett is one of the intriguing names in the draft. He’s got the size, strength and fast first step along with the consistent production to back it up. Having dealt with lots of attention from blockers in the process, it might be exciting for him to join the same front as Mack.</p>. DE