2017 Raiders Draft: Drafting Penn’s Heir Apparent
Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie loves the trenches. He’s one of the only GM in the league willing to spend more on the big guys up front on either side of the ball. McKenzie knows the value of protection. However, there are some spots on the offensive line that need to be addressed. Namely, finding a suitable replacement for the aging left tackle Donald Penn.
Penn is still in the upper echelon of left tackles but Father Time does take its toll. Plus, with only one year left on his contract, this could be it. Finding a suitable replacement this draft is tricky as the tackle market in this draft is thinner than usual. There is also the option of Kelechi Osemele moving over a spot since he has played tackle previously for the Ravens. Additionally, Gabe Jackson moves back to his more natural spot LG. Though this still creates a problem as right guard would be a weak spot and right tackle is the weakest spot on the line as of right now.
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The Raiders hold a couple of options. First, they are in need of certain defensive spots such as inside linebacker and defensive tackle more than offensive tackle. So, conventional wisdom says that the top end of the draft this year needs to fill those spots. In that realm of thought, the tackles left at round 3 and later could be:
Brad Seaton, Villanova: Granted, he has the size of an NFL tackle, and in 2015 a season ending knee injury shortened his tally to just 3 games. On the positive side, he rebounded to enjoy a strong 2016. Due to injury concerns, Seaton is somewhat of a sleeper.
Julie’n Davenport, Bucknell: At 6’7″ 318 lbs, he possesses the frame you would like in a tackle. More importantly, he has very long arms is a major plus. As a 2 year captain, the foundation for future leadership exists. As dominant as any tackle in college, he didn’t face elite competition in college. Yet, his performance during Senior Bowl Week opened eyes.
Chad Wheeler, USC: Wheeler is the least likely of the three that the Raiders will pick. Although he excels at pass blocking, he will lunge at defenders in the ground game. He is raw and might need a year to get his footing at the next level.
Just to note, as of this writing the Raiders have met with the first two prospects on the list multiple times. Sooner or later, the post-Penn era needs to start. Why not plan it now. Drafting a tackle and sitting him to learn will help the Raids in the long run.
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