2018 NFL Mock Draft: Giants land Sam Darnold

10 of 32

NASHVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 23: Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Alabama Crimson Tide in action during a game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium on September 23, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Alabama won 59-0. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

. Defensive Back. Alabama. Minkah Fitzpatrick. 10. player. 28

In one of the biggest splashes in recent memory for the franchise, the Oakland Raiders brought back former head coach Jon Gruden. Gruden replaces Jack Del Rio, who was fired after the team was embarrassed by the Los Angeles Chargers in their regular season finale. You can expect Gruden to bring a completely different atmosphere to the Raiders locker room, and the team should be much-improved because of it.

Gruden is a quarterback guru, so Derek Carr should be able to improve under his tutelage. On the defensive side of the ball, Oakland needs a lot of help, but it all starts in the secondary. With their first round pick in April, the Raiders should look to bring in a cornerback, and Minkah Fitzpatrick from Alabama is arguably the best player available at that position in this draft class.

Fitzpatrick has won two national titles with the Crimson Tide, and he is a big reason why his team has been the best in the country during his time at the school. He is a shut-down cornerback, and the Raiders have been lacking that for some time now. If the Raiders are every going to get over the hump, they need to be able to be better against the passing game, and Fitzpatrick would be an immediate upgrade over anybody they currently have playing the position.

Home/NFL Mock Draft