NFL Draft 2018: Oakland Raiders 7-round mock draft

Round 6 – Pick 188

Durham Smythe, TE, Nortre Dame

Jared Cook is the starting tight end for the Oakland Raiders at this point. Cook is a solid player, who has always looked like he is due for a big season. This past year was a strong season from the tight end, but there is little depth behind him. Gruden and his staff would be smart to invest a piece of the draft on a tight end that they can develop. Notre Dame’s Durham Smythe can be that guy.  Smythe is the prototypical “old school” tight end. He is a solid blocker but lacks deep speed and poise as a route runner. He may be the perfect number two tight end in the NFL. Paired with Cook it would give the west coast loving Gruden a weapon that can be on the field regardless of situation.

Round 6 – Pick 195

Holton Hill, CB, Texas

Last year the Raiders took a chance on a corner with off the field issues in Gareon Conley in the first round. He has the makings of a solid starting corner in the league. This time they wait until the end of day three to address the position but find a guy with some off the field concerns. Holton Hill of Texas is an enticing prospect with great size and speed. Corners that are 6-foot-3 with his agility and speed do not come around often. However, concerns of his maturity will push him down boards. A coach needs to get his head on straight and Hill could be a steal at any point after round two, he is that talented.

Round 6 – Pick 210

Byron Pringle, WR, Kansas State

Oakland may be desperate for wide receiver help if they lose Michael Crabtree this offseason. One of the most slept on wide receivers in the class in Kansas State’s Byron Pringle. He is not an elite athlete with deep speed. What he can do is run super crisp routes and catch the football. With Amari Cooper struggling with drops and consistency, Pringle is like the anti-Cooper. There is a chance he slides even further just given the depth of the class. With the Raiders owning six picks in the sixth round, one should be spent on a wide receiver.

Round 6 – Pick 213

K.J. Malone, G, LSU

The Raiders have one of the better offensive lines in football. However that unit is aging and the team needs to be thinking about the next phase of that unit. K.J. Malone of LSU is the type of versatile and solid player that makes sense at this point. He played tackle at LSU but has experience all over the line. Injuries and a lack of special traits force him into the later rounds.

Round 6 – Pick 216

Will Richardson, T, North Carolina State

Another offensive lineman that may make sense for the Raiders is Will Richardson. The North Carolina State prospect played right tackle. He has some off the field concerns, surrounding driving while intoxicated that can push him down the board. Dooley is a solid tackle with a strong lower body that can move people. He would benefit from a year or two spent behind established starters to better develop his overall frame.

Round 6 – Pick 218

Trayvon Henderson, S, Hawaii

Oakland has Karl Joseph and Reggie Nelson at the starting safety spot. They also draft Obi Melifonwu in the second round a year ago, who can jump between safety and corner. They need some depth at the position. That is why Trayvon Henderson of Hawaii makes sense for this team. Henderson has the traits of a starter in the NFL and is a versatile safety. He can surprise some if thrust into action early on due to injury and pairs well with Oakland’s young safeties Joseph and Melifonwu.

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Round 7 – Pick 228

Garret Dooley, EDGE, Wisconsin

With Josh Sweat earlier the Raiders got their future partner for Khalil Mack. They still need bodies there and Garrett Dooley is a solid player to grab in the last round. Dooley is more of an edge than a linebacker but can bounce between both. He lacks the athleticism to be a starter in the NFL. Will likely be a project who needs to prove himself on special teams to stick long-term.