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2017 NFL Draft: Oakland Raiders final grade

By Brad Weiss

Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) gets the crowd into the game during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Gareon Conley (8) gets the crowd into the game during the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State won 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Oakland Raiders had some holes to fill in their secondary leading into the draft, and they made sure to address them early.

Last season, the Oakland Raiders seemed destined to make a legitimate run towards the Super Bowl. Quarterback Derek Carr took a step in the right direction in his third year as the team’s starter, putting up MVP numbers until a broken leg ended his season in Week 16. They did make the playoffs for the first time since 2002, but fell to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round.

Oakland came into the 2017 NFL Draft looking to get better in their defensive backfield, and they did just that. They spent their first and second round picks on defensive backs, and it actually make be an area of strength for the first time in a long time this season.

Here is a look at our final draft grade for the Oakland Raiders.

24

Gareon Conley

Cornerback, Ohio State

With the No. 24 overall pick in the first round, the Oakland Raiders selected Gareon Conley from Ohio State. Conley, who was widely regarded as one of the best cornerbacks in this draft class, fell to the Raiders due to alleged off-field incident in the weeks leading up to the draft. Conley was accused of sexual assault by a woman in a Cleveland hotel, though he has yet to be arrested or charged.

Prior to making the pick, the Raiders assured their fans that they had done their due diligence, and that Conley was a safe pick. Still, it was a risky pick by an organization that has seemed to be pushing all of the right buttons lately. If he is eligible to play, Conley should slide right into the starting lineup in Oakland, as he has the skill set to shut down one side of the field.

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