2019 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks go early after trades

By Brad Weiss | Feb 27, 2019

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: Ohio State (7) Dwayne Haskins (QB) throws a pass during the Rose Bowl Game between the Washington Huskies and Ohio State Buckeyes on January 1, 2019, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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SEATTLE, WA – SEPTEMBER 09: Defensive back Byron Murphy #1 of the Washington Huskies defends against wide receiver Keenan Curran #6 of the Montana Grizzlies at Husky Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

Washington. Byron Murphy. 24. player. 28. . Cornerback

With their second of three first round draft picks in April, the Oakland Raiders should continue to focus on the defensive side of the ball. While it is an absolute necessity that they bring in an edge rusher early in round one, the team may want to focus on the secondary when their second pick come up at No. 24.

One cornerback who should hear his name called in the first round is Byron Murphy, a good-looking cover guy from the University of Washington. During his time with the Huskies, Murphy established himself as the premier cornerback in the Pac-12, capping his career off with a game-winning pick-six in the Pac-12 title game.

Heading into 2019, the Raiders have an elite cornerback in Gareon Conley, who proved in 2018 that he can be one of the better corners in not only the AFC West, but the entire NFL. Bringing in another corner is a priority, and if the team can re-sign Daryl Worley, they would have a strength at the position for the first time in a long time.

Oakland has a lot of work to do this offseason, and they could end up moving any of their three first round picks for more assets. If they stay at No. 24, Murphy makes a lot of sense, because in order for the Raiders to get back to the top of the AFC West, they have to be able to shut down the likes of Patrick Mahomes and Philip Rivers twice a season.

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