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2017 NFL Mock Draft: Defense rules the day

By Brad Weiss

Oct 15, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (90) celebrates after a tackle in the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins in a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (90) celebrates after a tackle in the second quarter against the UCLA Bruins in a NCAA football game at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 77-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won the game 77-10. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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Raekwon McMillan

LB, Ohio State

For the Oakland Raiders, the 2016 season can be seen two ways. The first is they were incredibly successful, winning 12 games, and making it to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. The other way is to wonder what might have been, as star quarterback Derek Carr was injured in Week 16, and the season was basically over from there. Either way, this is an organization on the rise, and another solid draft day just may put them over the edge.

The offense in Oakland is loaded, and there really is no way they pick a player on that side of the ball in round one. Recently, the team brought in running back Marshawn Lynch, erasing their need for a back this early in the draft. They will definitely look to bolster their defense, and linebacker is a position where they need help now.

Raekwon McMillan is not a guy on many draft boards as a first rounder, but we like him here for the Raiders. He is a classic middle linebacker, which is a position of necessity for Oakland heading into the 2017 NFL season. He plays all over the field, and with his ability to bring the hammer, his skill set will certainly earn him a ton of fans with the Silver and Black. He is a winner, and the Raiders need that kind of attitude if they are going to take the next step in 2017.

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