Oakland Raiders NFL Draft Picks: 2019 Round-by-Round Results, Grades

How will the Raiders use their picks in the 2019 NFL draft? We’re breaking down every selection.

Author:
Kaelen Jones
Publish date:
Apr 25, 2019

The Oakland Raiders finished 4–12 in their first season under Jon Gruden. Oakland missed the postseason for the second straight season, marking the 14th time the franchise has not reached the playoffs since making Super Bowl XXXVII.

In last year's draft, the Raiders drafted offensive tackle Kolton Miller with the 15th pick of the first round.

How will they use their picks in this year's draft? We're breaking down every selection below, including grades from The MMQB's Andy Benoit.

Here's the full list of picks the Raiders hold in the 2019 draft, which will be updated as each selection is made.

Round 1, Pick 4 (No. 4 overall):

Clelin Ferrell, EDGE, Clemson

Andy Benoit's grade: D-

The Raiders, desperately needing an edge rusher after last year’s trade of Khalil Mack, had their choice of defensive ends. Somewhat shockingly, they took Clelin Ferrell, who dominated Alabama’s first-round prospect, Jonah Williams, in the national championship, but was deemed by some scouts as a “good at everything, great at nothing” guy. He is expected to be solid as a tightly aligned defensive end in base downs, but today’s NFL is about nickel, which defenses play nearly 70 percent of the time. Can Ferrell bend the edge there? He’d better. Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther plays a lot of 2-deep coverages, especially in zone. That approach only works if your front four generates pressure. The Raiders already addressed defensive tackle last year, taking P.J. Hall (second round) and Maurice Hurst (fifth round). Some believed Ferrell translates more as a nickel defensive tackle. Clearly, the Raiders don’t.

Round 1, Pick 24 (No. 24 overall):

Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama

Andy Benoit's grade: A-

Jacobs has all the tools required of a star running back in today’s NFL: the lateral agility to create his own space, the contact balance to break tackles and the hands and route-running quickness to create and exploit favorable mismatches in the passing game. Jon Gruden gets a chance to showcase his offensive creativity, as he can build his spread-empty formations and quick-strike passes around the multidimensional running back.

Round 1, Pick 27 (No. 27 overall):

Johnathan Abram, S, Mississippi State

Andy Benoit's grade: B

Abram is considered a Landon Collins, Keanu Neal type, which means he’s a box thumper who will also be expected to match up to tight ends. Multidimensional safeties are key in today’s NFL, though it’s worth noting that Oakland’s system—which is built around traditional zone coverage—does not quite put as fierce of demands on safety versatility as other schemes. Given the recent signing of LaMarcus Joyner, who can play the slot but is better at safety, Abram’s arrival suggests a looming end of days for 2016 first-rounder Karl Joseph. That’s not surprising given that the Gruden regime barely put Joseph on the field early last season.

Round 2, Pick 8 (No. 40 overall): Trayvon Mullen, CB, Clemson

Andy Benoit's grade: C

The Raiders rotated at every defensive position last year except linebacker. Daryl Worley and Gareon Conley have both teased high-level talent but have yet to consistently deliver on it. Some scouts believe Mullen must improve his route recognition. He’ll be asked to play a lot of matchup zone coverage in Oakland’s scheme.

Round 4, Pick 4 (No. 106 overall): Maxx Crosby, DE, Eastern Michigan

Round 4, Pick 27 (No. 129 overall): Isaiah Johnson, CB, Houston

Round 4, Pick 35 (No. 137 overall): Foster Moreau, TE, LSU

Round 5, Pick 11 (No. 149 overall): Hunter Renfrow, WR, Clemson

Round 7, Pick 16 (No. 230 overall): Quinton Bell, DE, Prairie View

See every NFL team's 2019 picks by clicking the links below.