2019 NFL Draft: Oakland Raiders 7-round mock
By Conor Dorney
Gruden has repeatedly preached trying to bring back and old-school approach to the game, and while that is yet to be fully realized in his team-building, Kansas State’s Dalton Risner is somebody who embodies that philosophy perfectly.
“Nasty” is a word that often comes to your mind when watching Risner’s game tape and that tenacity and technical prowess has all but cemented him as a top-50 pick come draft day.
Risner was one a standout at the Senior Bowl for the North squad, which just so happened to be coached by none other than Gruden himself. It got to the point that Gruden had to do practically do everything in his power to not show his hand during the week of practices, per this tidbit from Buffalo News:
"Then late in the practice, Raiders coach Jon Gruden gathered the North team in a circle at midfield and called out Risner to go one on one, first against Arizona State’s Renell Wren and then against Allen. Risner held them both off, with teammates whooping, and he was so excited he chest-bumped Gruden. “I don’t like him,” a smiling Gruden said."
Risner probably will move inside at the next level but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more perfect draft fit than Risner and Oakland. Don’t be shocked if this spot at the top of the second round is lower than the Raiders actually pull the trigger on selecting him, either.