Volkerball posted:

Da Raiders

1) Khalil Mack A+

Best player in the draft, and reigning DPOY. Struggled a bit his first season relative to how good he is now, but you could still see the talent. The numbers just weren't piling up because it seemed like he would just miss out on making the play by a hair. Second year he blew up in the second half of the season, and had something stupid like 4 sacks against the Broncos. Finished second in DPOY voting. Third year he again kicked it on later in the season, and with Watt out, he was the default DPOY. With the age difference between himself and Watt, he looks primed to spend several years as the undisputed best defensive player in the league, and if he can remain consistent, a first ballot Hall of famer.

2) Derek Carr A+

Rookie season was a tough one because the team was horrible. Had a horrible game against the Rams, but blew up against the 49ers, so it was really up and down. Second year was much improved and he really established himself as The Guy. It was pretty clear by the end of that year he was the best QB in the draft. Last season he finished as the NFL Clutch performer of the year as he led the league in 4th quarter comebacks and drug a young raiders team kicking and screaming to a 12-4 record and their first playoff berth in well over a decade. He also racked up a few MVP votes. He can make any throw, and he's not afraid to show it. Great leader, everyone loves him, and he's awesome. Quite probable he'll get an MVP award and a Super Bowl to his name before his career is done if he can stay healthy. You could easily make the argument that he's a better player than Andrew Luck, so he's an absolute steal in the 2nd.

3) Gabe Jackson A

Me and Al really wanted this guy. He blew up the combine with his strength, and unlike Raider guards of yesteryear, he plays at a level to match it. He's a true mauler, and I hope we can hold on to him. Probably got a few pro bowls in him.

-some guys-

7) TJ Carrie B

Nothing special with this guy, but the fact he's anything other than special teams at this point is pretty significant with where he was taken. Immediately came in and outplayed DJ Hayden, and has gotten quite a bit of playing time all over the Raiders very bad secondary since then. Solid depth especially because of his versatility.

The verdict

If you could redo this draft today, it wouldn't be out of the question for Mack and Carr to go 1 2. This draft built the core for a team that went from perennial bottom feeder to perennial super bowl contender. Without a doubt the best draft I've ever seen the Raiders have, and probably somewhere on the list of greatest drafts ever.