2019 NFL Draft: Oakland Raiders 7 round mock draft

Round 5 – Pick 142

Elijah Holyfield, RB, Georgia

A position that may be filled via free agency for Oakland is running back. With all three of their top running backs set to be free agents, including Doug Martin and Marshawn Lynch, Oakland will need to fill the the position. They are poised to have over $70 million in cap space. Look for them to make a play on big names like Le’Veon Bell or Mark Ingram. In this draft class there are simply a lack of elite running back prospects. Instead there is a deep group that all bring a different skill set to the table. That means there are players that can contribute in the later rounds.

One player that I expect to rise up boards and is not getting enough love is Georgia’s Elijah Holyfield. The son of the former heavyweight champion is a powerful runner who showed some burst for the Bulldogs this season. He was stuck behind elite players Sony Michel and Nick Chubb a year ago. Even this year he split carries with former 5-star recruit Deandre Swift. He has some wiggle to him despite being labeled as a bigger back. Holyfield can come in and contribute right away on early downs. He is the type of prospect that I think will out-perform what he did in college, especially if he is able to work into a role slowly.

Round 6 – Pick 198

Marquise Blair, S, Utah

After three straight offensive picks, the Oakland defense lands another player. Utah’s Marquise Blair is a safety prospect that offers a unique skill set. In today’s NFL there are two types of safeties, those that play in the box and those that play over-the-top. It seems like the box safeties are a dime a dozen. However, those that are able to play the deep parts of the field are harder to come by. Blair is the latter of the bunch, which makes his draft stock perplexing. While he is not a top 50 prospects, he does have the skills and traits to be a Day 2 pick. Luckily for Oakland he was available in the top of the sixth round.

Oakland is not happy with their back-end. They released former second round pick Obi Melifonwu earlier this season. Even former first round pick Karl Joseph has been in and out of the dog house. There most consistent safety has been veteran Reggie Nelson. Joseph should be better and he may with another year in the new system. However he would pair well with Blair, should Blair clean up some things once he gets to the NFL. This is the type of player that is a good sub-package option when one of Oakland’s bigger safeties comes down into a linebacker role. Blair would help the Raiders in a big way.

Round 7 – Pick 220

Danny Wise, DT, Kansas

An area where Oakland may be completly fine at, despite the terrible statistics, is the defensive line. After drafting P.J. Hall in the second round last year and Maurice Hurst in the fifth, there are two talented young players to build around. Hall was not the dominant force Oakland may have expected but has room to grow. Hurst on the other hand, lived up to the reputation that had him mocked inside the top-50 picks a year ago. His medicals kept him from being drafted that high but for the time being, he is a solid player in the defensive front that allows Oakland to play a multiple of defenses.

However, the Raiders did struggle up front at getting interior pressure and stopping the run. They will spend at least one pick on their defensive line and it may be earlier than this. If it is not until Day 3, they would be wise to grab Kansas’ Danny Wise. The former Jayhawk was a stand out at the East-West Shrine Game and is seeing his stock rise. Offering a great first step and attacking style, Wise is a well-rounded three technique that can push the pocket.

Round 7 – Pick 237

Martez Ivey, G, Florida

The Oakland Raiders have a ton of capital invested in their offensive line. That leads me to believe that they will pass on the position until very late in the draft. Last year they spent a first round pick on a tackle to then follow up the first pick of the third round on another tackle. Both players were developmental players who Oakland hopes can be the tandem of the future. Inside they are solid but getting a little longer in the tooth.

Martez Ivey would be a wise investment for Oakland. The former five-star recruit simply did not put it all together at Florida. Depsite playing tackle for the Gators, Ivey is going to be bumped inside in the NFL. His big frame and plus athleticism is only enough to take him so far. He plays with a lackadaisical effort and high pads, two things offensive lineman cannot do. Oakland could grab him as a depth piece and hope he develops. The team obviously has faith in their offensive line coaches after the two developmental tackles they took so high a year ago.