The Oakland Raiders made strides in 2015 under second-year quarterback Derek Carr. With improved talent around him, Carr helped lead a solid Oakland offense with a handful of playmakers that should all be even better in 2016. That leaves Oakland's defense as the real Achilles heel of this team. The Raiders ranked No. 22 in yards allowed per game (363.6) and points (24.9) in 2015, despite a breakout season from second-year linebacker Khalil Mack and the surprisingly effective addition of cornerback David Amerson.
One specific area of concern for the Raiders is the defensive line. Oakland got just seven tackles for a loss from the trio of Aldon Smith, Justin Ellis and Dan Williams last year. As such, it wouldn't be a surprise to see general manager Reggie McKenzie target D-linemen in the 2016 NFL Draft. In fact, ESPN NFL Insider Todd McShay projects Oakland to select Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche with the No. 14 overall pick in his Mock Draft 2.0.
"[Michigan State OT Jack] Conklin would be a good pick here if available, but he's not in this scenario," McShay wrote. "If the Raiders are willing to take a risk, Nkemdiche is a top-10 talent who has fallen this far because of character concerns. When he's right, the 6-foot-4, 296-pound Nkemdiche is a highly disruptive 3-technique D-lineman with the versatility to play inside and outside."
The junior defender finished the 2015 college football season with 26 total tackles, 3.0 sacks and 7.0 tackles for a loss. Given Justin Tuck's retirement and the uncertain role of 2015 second-rounder Mario Edwards Jr., Nkemdiche could fill an immediate need for this Raiders team.
However, McShay is right to point out Nkemdiche's character concerns. He was charged with drug possession late last year after police found marijuana in Nkemdiche's room following a bizarre 15-foot drop from a fourth-floor window of the Grand Hyatt Atlanta. He was not seriously injured during the incident.
