Who Will The Raiders And 49ers Take In Tonight’s Draft?

Raiders

(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

NFL.com – Mike McGlinchey – OT, Notre Dame 

I think the guy that checks all the boxes is Mike McGlinchey. I’ve known this kid since he was 15 years old. He’s got the same IQ and passion for football that Matt Ryan does. He starts Day 1.

CBS Sports – Denzel Ward – CB, Ohio State

The Raiders are seeing massive turnover at the cornerback position with David Amerson, Sean Smith and T.J. Carrie out the door. Rashaan Melvin was a nice pickup, but Shareece Wright and Daryl Worley could be nothing more than depth. Enter Ward, an elite cover corner who has everything but prototypical size. He’ll be an excellent slot corner and should excel in Oakland, where Melvin and Gareon Conley can match up with bigger receivers.

USA Today – Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

Defense is the primary need, and picking McGlinchey might constitute the draft’s first big surprise. But left tackle Donald Penn turns 35 on Friday, and Oakland might be inclined to solidify its front after seeing a dropoff from the unit last year

Bleacher Report – Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

Ladies and gentlemen, Jon Gruden is running the show in Oakland. That’s what this pick signals.

Forget the needs on defense, Gruden needs Derek Carr protected to run his offense, and after reviewing last year’s tape, there is no way the Raiders can roll with the same protection at offensive tackle.

Enter Mike McGlinchey.

The Notre Dame left tackle projects best on the right side in the NFL, and that’s exactly where Oakland will plug him in for the foreseeable future. McGlinchey is a refined, pro-ready prospect with the tools to have a Jack Conklin-like impact right out of the gate.

Walter Football – Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

Donald Penn, 35 by the end of the month, is coming off a Lisfranc injury and reportedly won’t be ready to return for a couple of months. This is obviously a big concern. Meanwhile, Oakland has a huge hole at right tackle. Offensive tackle is a position absolutely must be addressed early in the draft.

Mike McGlinchey is the top tackle in this class, and there’s speculation that he’ll be a top-10 pick. This is the most logical destination for him in that range.

49ers

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

NFL.com – Denzel Ward – CB, Ohio State

Most people’s No. 1 corner, 188 pounds, ran a 4.32, oily hips. From his perspective, they get the No. 1 corner in this draft.

CBS Sports – Tremaine Edmunds – LB, Virginia Tech 

They have issues at linebacker with the Reuben Foster situation. Edmunds could also help on the edge.

USA Today –  Roquan Smith – LB, Georgia

The Niners likely won’t have clarity on Reuben Foster’s outlook by the time they’re on the clock, yet Smith should be one of the top targets no matter what. A dependable playmaker and leader, he’s comfortable both chasing down ball carriers and dropping into coverage

Bleacher Report –  Roquan Smith – LB, Georgia

Don’t rule out the San Francisco 49ers as a trade partner, should one of the quarterbacks fall down the board. But in this mock draft, the team sits tight and makes a smart selection by adding linebacker Roquan Smith.

Given the uncertainty surrounding the future of Reuben Foster, linebacker is a need. It was actually already a need before Foster was charged with felony domestic violence earlier this month, and his situation only intensified the team’s need to add in the middle of the defense. Smith is a plug-and-play starter who won’t need any time learning the ropes in the NFL.

There have been rumors of a Mike McGlinchey pick here, and while that value is good, it would be a surprise given the team’s needs elsewhere.

Walter Football –  Minkah Fitzpatrick – S/CB, Alabama

Major news broke Wednesday, as Reuben Foster’s girlfriend, who previously accused Foster of assaulting her, told authorities that she had lied about the incident. There apparently happens to be video evidence corroborating this story.

Hopefully what she’s currently saying is true. It now sounds like Foster will be available for 2018, so the 49ers don’t have to push the panic button with a linebacker. Thus, they can pursue Minkah Fitzpatrick, whom they covet.

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