Recapping All 32 NFL Draft Classes from 2017

​Oakland Raiders

Needs Entering Draft: TE, DE, ILB, CB
Positions Drafted: RB, OT, DT, ILB, CB, S

The Oakland Raiders are getting back to the smackdown, physical defensive style that The Black Hole became famous for in the 1970’s. Safety Obi Melifonwu looks like an unnecessary addition at first, but when one considers how many strong safeties have dropped into inside linebacker spots (a la Deone Bucannon and Mark Barron) in nickel and dime packages, his big-hitting versatility addresses the linebacker need. Cornerback could have seen more attention; they spent the first-round pick on Gareon Conley, but he has a serious legal investigation ongoing.

Defensive tackles Eddie Vanderdoes and Treyvon Hester add more bulk to strong defensive line, but the pass-rushing boost at the 3- and 5-technique defensive end spots remains to be proven. Linebacker Marquel Lee is fine inside depth, but -- again -- it may be a more serious need than they treated it. The two offensive tackles are fine developmental depth for possibly the second-best line in the league, and running back Elijah Hood was just too good a value to pass up in the seventh round.