Raiders mailbag: Do Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden need ‘overdraft’ protection?
Questions abound on why Jon Gruden, Mike Mayock drafted Damon Arnette so high.
Let’s get to your Raiders questions now that the 2020 NFL draft has concluded:
Q: The draft is designed to maintain parity in the league so de-valuing high picks is inexcusable. According to the so called “experts”, the second round was deep with first round talent and yet Gruden chose someone projected for the third round. What gives? — Domingo Baslio email
Whose value system are you applying? The consensus of a lot of talent “experts” that don’t work for NFL teams? As opposed to someone like Mike Mayock who was good enough at it to actually be hired by one? How do you know there wasn’t a team that was poised to take Damon Arnette? If the guy is nothing special, you’ve got an argument and we’ll find out eventually. But right now, unless you’ve got ironclad info from 31 teams saying they weren’t taking him until the third or fourth round, it’s premature to make assumptions.
Q: 1. Were you or any journalist able to ask about the rumors of Yannick Ngakoue being traded for a draft pick? Or any truths to these rumors? 2. Raiders had the king’s choice of selecting out of 3 consensus top receivers in the draft. Would they still have gone receiver if Ruggs was not there? — Seanseye email
Mayock wasn’t asked about it, and he wouldn’t have commented even if he was. Teams are not allowed to comment on another team’s players. It’s punishable by fine. Ngakoue belongs to Jacksonville. As for what the Raiders would have done if Ruggs was off the board, I think they would have taken either Jeudy or Lamb. And I’m guessing Jeudy.
Q: There were pretty clear reports that Raiders wanted a defensive end in Yannick Ngakoue and yet then didn’t draft a defensive end. Do you think that means, they will still look to sign established defensive end post draft or ride with what they have got? — @anikh8030
Not sure what you consider a clear report. Here’s my simulation of how it went: Raiders: What about Ngakoue? Jaguars: We want one of your first round draft picks and one of your thirds. And by the way, when you check with his agent you’ll find he wants a longterm contract at something approaching Khalil Mack money. Raiders: Click.
Q: What is Plan B if Josh Jacobs goes down? Surely not Lynn Bowden? — @marklubienski
Doesn’t appear there is a 20-carry back on the roster. Wouldn’t be surprised if it was addrssed by a street free agent or undrafted free agent. We honestly don’t know about Bowden, although he did run for more than 1,400 yards last year as a wildcat quarterback. So he’s used to taking punishment.
Q: Since we don’t have OTAs, I question if they have enough time to get Bowden ready, at least early in the season. Hope they do, cause kid is electric, but what is likely the backup plan? – @ABWilcox32
You’re right. Mayock insists they’re drafting guys with the kind of aptitude that they’ll get up to speed quickly. Bowden supposedly wowed Gruden and Mayock in terms of his ability to quickly understand conceptns and verbiage and then repeat it. But there’s no way to know what impact Bowden and other rookies will have with no on-field work.
Q: Let’s talk about that second round tender they put on Nathan Peterman awhile back. How’s that working out? — @danenright32
It’s working out fine. It’s not guaranteed unless he makes the roster as the third quarterback. And then his pay would be pretty much in line with what a quarterback on a 53-man NFL roster would make.
Q: I might have (Gareon) Conleyitis but was Arnette a reach at 19? I trust Mike Mayock so not too concerned; just so many misses drafting cornerbacks thru the years.– @Todd_Harrison
I get it. Cornerback has been a revolving door and if you’re a long-suffering Raider fan your skepticism is natural. I’d say this about Gareon Conley vs. Damon Arnette: Conley was quiet and reserved, kept everything under his hat. Very little outward emotion or passion. Not in his personality or his game. Arnette is the opposite of that. That doesn’t mean he’ll be a star and Conley wont be, but it sure meshes better with the head coach.
Q: Do you think Gruden wants to change gameplans weekly and sometimes run a ground and pound offense and other times run a spread? — @bates_jw
I think he always wants elements of power football. Fullback and extra tight ends, etc. Especially late. But he needs the bells and whistles to complement the ability to run the ball an work the clock. As well as to have the ability to come back from a two-score deficit. I know Tennessee had some success, but it’s hard to succeed being only a play-from-ahead team.
Q: Any thoughts on the Raiders passing on K’Lavon Chaission from LSU? Probably could have taken him and still got Arnette later. Chassion will be a Pro Bowler. Also, so this is Tyell Williams last season w the Raiders right? — @Darrindubs20
Two huge assumptions. Chaisson is great and no one else wanted Arnette that high. I’ve already addressed the latter. As for Chaisson, you’re pretty confident that a guy with 25 career games and 9 1/2 sacks will be a Pro Bowler. And maybe you’re right. We’ll wait and see. Tyrell Williams must stay healthy and produce. They gave him a mulligan because of his bad feet last year. He won’t get another one.
Q: How many WR make the final roster and who are your predictions to do so? — @robstievater
Off the top of my head, it’s Henry Ruggs, Tyrell Williams, Hunter Renfrow, Nelson Agholor, and Bryan Edwards as the first five. Next up would be Zay Jones or someone Rich Bisaccia wants on specail teams.
Q: Do you see Raiders picking up a free agent or two before camp? Like a Dion Jordan for defensive tackle depth or a Devonta Freeman to backup Jacobs? — @guodknowledge
I’m sure they’re not done tinkering with the roster. I think if they were going to sign Dion Jordan, it would have happened by now. Rod Marinelli carries a lot of influence, and he got two of his guys — Maliek Collins and Daniel Ross. Guessing the Raiders will be kicking the tires on backs such as Freeman but first you need to know if they’re healthy.
Q: Overall I thought it was an above average draft but feel like they left something on the table. For example, why not take John Simpson at 100, Tanner Muse with the next pick (not a fan of that pick) and keep the 5th rounder? — @brwong24
If they wanted Simpson and Muse and got them both, then what difference does it make that one went at No. 100 and the other at No. 109? As for the fifth rounder, I personally like the philosophy of not picking after the fourth round and thus having seven selections all at No. 139 or below. With the reduced off-season time, it will be rough going for late-round draft picks and undrafted free agents.
Q: Are there any interesting UDFA candidates the Raiders sign to address their needs at running back to pair with Jacobs? — @trutt22
I’ll be honest. Haven’t dug in to the UFDAs and am unlikely to before I leave for the next two weeks. With running backs, you never know. I’d tend to think they’d look for a veteran bigger back because of the non-existant OTA period.
Q: What are your thoughts on Mayock’s and Grudens ability to manipulate the draft board in terms of moving up and down for value? The evaluation of players is great but we seem to overdraft sometimes.– @spitfire2328
Funny how two guys with type A personalities would be so patient. Yet that’s been their philosophy for the most part in letting the draft come to them. The two instances of “overdrafting” everyone is concerned about is Ferrell and Arnette, more so Ferrell because he was a No. 4. The biggest thing is to get the guys you want who can fit in and produce. They definitely have a “type” they like. If the Raiders start winning, I suspect the whole “overdrafting” thing will recede into the background. If they don’t, they’ll keep hearing about it.
Q: Does Amik Robertson traslate specifically to slot, or do you get the impression the coaches will let him compete with Trayvon Mullen, Damon Arnette and the rest at corner? — @macomboys
Mayock believes the skill set for Robertson does lend itself to the slot, but right now that position belongs to Lamarcus Joyner. He’ll get a chance to prove in Year 2 he can be the player the Raiders hoped he’d be when they signed him. If Robertson is a defender who can actually make plays on the ball and create turnovers, he’ll see the field — whether in the slot or outside. They’ll be fine with him giving up some jump-and-catch plays to bigger receivers if he mixes in some interceptions.
Q: Why no standout EDGE? Drafted or UDFA? Whats the update on Arden Key? — @tonyjobs
Wasn’t regarded as a great draft for edge rushers, with Chase Young way above and beyond everyone else. Not sure which “standout” you wanted if Young wasn’t going to be around. An undrafted free agent won’t have much of a chance. They’re counting on Ferrell to be better, Maxx Crosby to build on what he did a year ago and guarateed a reported $17 million to Carl Nassib. That’s your outside pressure. They’d love to see Arden Key turn into a force, but I don’t think they’re counting on it. He’s in a “show us” mode.
Q: I question the picks of Bowden Jr., Muse, and Simpson. They just gave Richard a contract extension and coaches have also mentioned they want to involve Jacobs more in the passing game. Where does Bowden Jr. fit in? And with prospects like Troy Dye and Jacob Phillips, why Muse? — @Lawson232012
Richard was brought back to do what he does. Catch passes out of the backfield and run infrequently from scrimmage. A lot of the Jacobs talk about being more involved in the passing game I think is just that — talk. Yes, he’ll catch more passes, but his main value is running from scrimmage and anything that takes away from that is counterproductive. The ability to get work for Bowden will have a lot to do with whether the Raiders finally have a defense that can force some turnovers and three-and-outs. As for Muse, they love their Clemson guys.
Q: Are the Raiders gonna bring Burfict back? — @Michael23718337
They just committed big dollars to two three-down linebackers and to Kwiatkoski as the defensive signal caller. Sounds like they’ve moved on. Burfict is now on triple not-so-secret probation. Next time he gives an extra shove he’s suspended again.
Q: How come Mike and Jon choke and draft a kid with their 1st pick that they could have drafted later??.. 2 years in a row…..ugh — @Norcalcrowe
Because they don’t know nearly as much as all the other draft analysts who don’t work for NFL teams. No sense watching the season to see if Arnette can play. Better to beat the rush and give up on him now.
Q :Cory Littleton is going to start on the weak side, Nick Kwiatkoski in the middle. Who starts on the strong side? — @VegasRaidersBig
Wouldn’t get caught up in the strong side, weak side thing. There wil be two linebackers on the field most of the time and there will be Littleton and Kwiatkoski. When they do go true 4-3 and have three linebackers on the field, the tender they gave Nicholas Morrow suggests he’s the guy. Either Morrow Marquel Lee.