The Oakland Raiders are coming into the draft with a number of targets in the first round and if the team misses out on Jadeveon Clowney, Khalil Mack, Blake Bortles or Sammy Watkins, the team could look to trade back in the draft with a number of teams that are looking to move up, like the 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, NY Jets or Chicago Bears.
The Oakland Raiders have a top five draft pick and once again a trade could go down for the team, as players like Jadeveon Clowney, Khalil Mack, Anthony Barr and Sammy Watkins could be on Reggie McKenzie's radar after Jared Allen signed a four year deal with the Chicago Bears.
The Raiders traded out of the top 10 last season and got the player they wanted in DJ Hayden and now they could look to either trade up or down in the first round again depending on who they target with their first pick. Reggie McKenzie has stated that he is looking for a "playmaker" at the top of the draft and he did not say whether that would be on offense or defense. The top 10 and the entire draft class is considered deep this season, which means that McKenzie will likely get his man whether the team stays put or moves in the first round.
Heading into the offseason, many speculated that the Raiders would take a quarterback with their first pick in the draft, but things have changed drastically since then. The team traded for Matt Schaub this offseason and while they still could opt to take a quarterback at some point, it almost surely will not be with their first pick at number five. The team gave up a sixth round pick for Schaub to the Texans and after trading for Matt Flynn last offseason they lost a fifth round pick and that leaves them with picks in the first round, second round, third round, fourth round and two in the seventh round and that's it. Last season the team went offense-heavy in the draft and had a nice amount of picks and McKenzie has six now, which could play into the trade plan possibility.
The Raiders could target a player and trade down and still take him like they did with Hayden and that would enable the team to get some extra picks while not losing out on a solid player in the first round. Sammy Watkins could be available at five and if they look to defense, the top names now are Jadeveon Clowney, Khalil Mack, Anthony Barr and Aaron Donald and if they want someone like Clowney, the team may have to trade up with the Rams at number two if they want to guarantee a chance at taking him. Clowney is one of the toughest players to read in the draft, as he had a down season compared to 2012 and while he killed his 40 yard dash, his other workouts at the combine were so-so.
The Raiders still could be in the mix for a quarterback, but that likely will come later in the draft and while defense is going to be a focus, at number five they could take Sammy Watkins if he is available. McKenzie has to decide where to go when it comes to that top pick, as the Raiders cannot afford to mess this one up, as they could get an impact player that helps their team for years. Matt Schaub needs players to throw to and Watkins along with Mike Evans could be great additions.
