2018 NFL Mock Draft: Josh Rosen goes to Browns
By Brad Weiss
Minkah Fitzpatrick
Defensive Back, Alabama
With their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, the Oakland Raiders fell to 6-9 on the season. It has been a very disappointing season for a franchise who was coming off a 12-4 record, and was expected to be a contender in the AFC. Quarterback Derek Carr has taken a bit of a step back, and with one game left on the schedule, there is a real possibility with them finishing up with double-digit losses.
Because of all of that, the Raiders find themselves picking towards the top of the first round next April, and they need to bring in some help in the secondary. The Raiders drafted a cornerback in the first round in 2017, but Gareon Conley has done little during his rookie season, and is very injury-prone. The Raiders need to draft a cornerback, and Minkah Fitzpatrick is possibly the best defensive back this draft class has to offer.
Fitzpatrick has been an anchor on a very good Alabama defense for the past couple of seasons, and some believe he may actually be a top-5 pick next April. However, if he is available at the Raiders this late in round one, they have to pounce on him, as he could be a top cover corner in year one. Oakland was bad on defense throughout most of the season, and in the end, it cost defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. his job.