3 best moves the Raiders made in the NFL Draft

2. Divine Deablo

Most draft experts had Deablo pegged as a fifth round pick. That’s why the Raiders were largely panned for reaching for him in Round 3. This is another example of a player who was bad value due to their draft position that still has a chance to emerge as a quality contributor.

If the Raiders would have selected Deablo later in the draft they might have been complimented for landing a diamond in the rough. Deablo toggled back and forth between linebacker and safety during his collegiate career at Virginia Tech. What didn’t change was the fact that he was a big-time playmaker no matter where he lined up for the Hokies.

If things work out for Deablo he’s got a chance to replicate what Jeremy Chinn gave the Panthers during his rookie season. He’s never going to be a great option in coverage, but he can come down in the box and make plays at or behind the line of scrimmage. Gruden and his defensive staff need a defensive talisman and Deablo has some chance of developing into that sort of playmaker.

Deablo is no sure thing at the next level due to his lack of elite athletic traits, but his collegiate production portends some measure of success at the NFL level. It’s possible he outperforms his lofty draft slot as a rookie if the coaching staff gives him the freedom required to succeed.