Oakland Raiders 2016 NFL Draft Grades

Oren Shiri grades the Oakland Raiders 2016 NFL Draft. Does Oakland have a bright future after drafting Karl Joseph with the fourteenth pick in the 2016 NFL Draft?

14. Karl Joseph, FS, West Virginia A Grade

Joseph is the top free safety in the 2016 NFL Draft based on the tape I've seen, but he didn't run in the 40 yard dash at the 2016 NFL Combine. Joseph made a killer first impression right away with 104 total tackles, 76 solo tackles, 6 deflections from pass breakups, and 7 tackles for a loss as a true freshman back in 2012. Joseph has the versatility to play both safety roles at strong safety and free safety.

In Oakland, Joseph will be most likely play free safety with Reggie Nelson at strong safety. Joseph can alter a games momentum just like retired Charles Woodson, however he may never reach the skill set of Woodson he does appear to have the skills to become the next Kam Chancellor.

44. Jihad Ward, DT, Illinois A Grade

Oakland drafts a defensive lineman for depth. The 6-5 293 lb Jihad Ward can play 4-3 defensive tackle or 3-4 defensive end at 3-4 right end or 3-4 left end in the 5 technique.

Jihad Ward is expected to jump Justin Ellis on the depth chart as the Raiders starting defensive tackle across from Dan Williams. Oakland has really strong depth at defensive tackle and will present problems for interior offensive lines.

75. Shilique Calhoun, LE, Michigan State A Grade

Calhoun played well as a senior. He showed an improved set of pass-rushing moves, including a spin move and a rip move. Calhoun looks like he added more functional strength to hold up in run support and shed blocks in the pass rush. Calhoun is a 4-3 defensive end only, but he's got the size of a rush linebacker at 6-5 250 lbs and can play in the 3-4.

Shilique Calhoun has already jumped Mario Edwards Jr. on the depth chart despite being a third round pick. Oakland got 3 starters in the first three rounds for the third year in a row now.

100. Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State B Grade

Let’s get this out of the way first – Derek Carr is the Raiders’ starting quarterback for the 2016 season and hopefully much longer; General Manager Reggie McKenzie said as much Saturday. However, Cook was thought to be a Day One talent, and as McKenzie also acknowledged, you can never have enough depth – even at the quarterback position.

Cook had 3,131 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, and 7 interceptions in 2015. Cook was awful in 2015, and that's why he fell to the fourth round. While character may be a concern, he jumped ahead of backup Matt McGloin on the depth chart.

143. DeAndre Washington, RB, Texas Tech C+ Grade

DeAndre Washington is a solid pick he played his college football at Texas Tech, showcasing his ability as both a ball carrier and a pass catcher out of the backfield. DeAndre Washington isn't a bad pick. For a 5-8 204 lb running back, he did pretty well with 1,492 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns on 233 carries.

Washington is currently a third stringer. I think he will surpass Taiwan Jones though at some point to become the backup to Murray so I will give this a C+ grade.

194. Cory James, MLB, Colorado State C Grade

Corey James was listed as a linebacker during his four years at Colorado State, but he showed the ability the take down the quarterback – finishing his career as a Ram with 25 total sacks. James has the versatility to play any of the 3 4-3 linebacker spots at 4-3 right outside linebacker, 4-3 middle linebacker, and 4-3 left outside linebacker.

James also had 10 tackles for a loss in 3 of his four seasons at Colorado State. James has inconsistent performances, which may be why he's a third string linebacker at the moment.

234. Vadal Alexander, LG, LSU C Grade

Oakland gets the 6-5 335 lb Vadal Alexander as a left guard for depth. Alexander, was once a late first round pick and the top guard in the 2016 NFL Draft, but he struggled in Mobile and at the 2016 NFL Combine. Alexander, will start out as a third string left guard with Kelechi Osmele and Jon Felciano as the starting and backup left guards while Gabe Jackson remains the starting right guard.

Vadal Alexander is in an intense battle with undrafted right guard Denver Kirkland to be the backup right guard. Right now Kirkland is doing better than Alexander which is certainly surprising.

Oakland Raiders Team Grade: A Grade

Oakland may have ended up with 3 starters with their first three picks in Karl Joseph, Jihad Ward, and Shilique Calhoun. Their fourth round pick Connor Cook is beating out Matt McGloin for the backup job as Reggie McKenzie assembled another strong draft for the Silver and Black which warrants an A grade.

They also got defensive end James Cowser from Southern Utah and Arkansas right guard Denver Kirkland as undrafted Free Agents as both of them will be quality backups with Kirkland beating out Alexander for the Raiders backup right guard job at the moment.