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2017 NFL Draft: Oakland Raiders 7-round mock

By Parker Hurley

Oct 15, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) against the Missouri Tigers during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Jarrad Davis (40) against the Missouri Tigers during the first quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) scores a touchdown as defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) runs alongside during the second quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Ryan Anderson (22) scores a touchdown as defensive back Marlon Humphrey (26) runs alongside during the second quarter in the 2016 CFP Semifinal against the Washington Huskies at the Georgia Dome. Alabama defeated Washington 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ryan Anderson

Linebacker, Alabama

Ryan Anderson is another linebacker but plays in a different sort of role. In college, he was mainly an outside, edge pass rusher. However, he played well off of the ball, and his best attribute is being able to set the edge against the run and make tackles in space. At the Senior Bowl, and the NFL combine, Anderson did work out drills with the off-ball linebackers, and it is most likely that Anderson does not line up on the edge too often in the NFL.

However, Anderson is a football player. He is instinctive, versatile, and a strong tackler. He is another player who the Raiders can look to get on the field more and use in a variety of roles due to his versatility. The Raiders current linebacker depth chart reads Bruce Irvin, Ben Heeney, and Tyrell Adams as the starters.

If they can go into the draft, hit the position hard, and potentially walk away with Anderson, Davis, and Irvin as the three starters heading into the start of the season, it can provide a lot more optimism. It was the defense that needed an upgrade from last season more than the offense, and it is the defense that they will hit hard in this draft with two straight linebackers in the top 50 picks.

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