Oakland Raiders NFL Draft Grade:

Round 1, #12 – CB D.J. Hayden, Houston – Grade: C+

-The Raiders did well to trade back in the first round and add a 2nd round pick, but they took a huge risk with this pick. Hayden is a great story and has a ton of potential, but he’s a big question mark. We don’t know how he’s going to come back from the injury, and the Raiders can’t afford to take risks.

Round 2, #42 – OT Menelik Watson, Florida St. – Grade: B-

-Watson fills a need and has good potential, but he’s a reach with a top 50 pick. He could develop into a starter, but is probably at least a year away. Again the Raiders should have gone with a more sure thing.

Round 3, #66 – OLB Sio Moore, Connecticut – Grade: B+

-Moore is a nice pick at this point, he really has a lot of upside and should quickly become an every down starter. His best attribute is his pass rush potential.

Round 4, #112 – QB Tyler Wilson, Arkansas – Grade: A-

-This is a great value pick for the Raiders who get their quarterback of the future, and they get him at a nice value pick. Wilson had a down senior year, but the potential is still there.

Round 6, #172 – TE Nick Kasa, Colorado – Grade: A-

-Kasa is a great late round pick for the Raiders, their tight end depth is atrocious, and Kasa is a guy who could start quickly for the Raiders. He had a really nice Senior Bowl week and could have some potential as a two-way tight end.

Round 6, #181 – RB Latavius Murray, Central Florida – Grade: C

-This is a depth pick, but the Raiders did need some depth in the backfield so it makes sense.

Round 6, #184 – TE Mychal Rivera, Tennessee – Grade: B-

-Rivera is more of a movement tight end, and is a nice late round value. He also had a strong Senior Bowl week and could earn some playing time as a rookie.

Round 6, #205 – DT Stacy McGee, Oklahoma – Grade: C+

-The Raiders were desperate for defensive tackle talent, and while McGee might have a little potential there were still some better options out there.

Round 7, #209 – WR Brice Butler, San Diego St. – Grade: C+

-Butler is an interesting developmental receiver, while there might have been better options this is an okay selection here.

Round 7, #233 – DE David Bass, Missouri Western – Grade: B

-Bass is a small school pass rusher with some nice potential. He had a really strong East West Shrine Game week, and could quickly become a situational pass rusher.

 Overall: B-

The Raiders did well adding extra picks, and addressing a number of needs, but they just made too risky of picks in the first two rounds. There was so much talent on the board with each pick that I just think they will end up regretting at least one of those picks. Overall it was a solid rebuilding draft for the Raiders, but they missed on a chance to make it a big win.