The Oakland Raiders have long been rumored to be interested in a wide receiver in this year's draft. Both Alabama's Amari Cooper and West Virginia's Kevin White were thought to be perfect weapons for second-year quarterback Derek Carr. However, it now appears possible that the Raiders will forgo a wide receiver with the fourth overall pick in the NFL draft and instead opt for USC defensive end Leonard Williams.
"Kevin White is an option here, as wide receivers is the Raiders' top need and he's a big-play threat with an excellent combination of size (6-foot-3, 215 pounds), straight-line speed (4.35-second 40-yard dash) and ball skills," ESPN NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay wrote in his Mock Draft 4.0. "Oakland needs to surround second-year QB Derek Carr with weapons. But defensive end is arguably the team's second-biggest need, and Williams is an excellent value here as the best all-around defensive player in the draft. He's an impact performer against the run and the pass, and has the versatility to play multiple roles along Oakland's defensive front."
A defensive core built around Williams, linebacker Khalil Mack and cornerback D.J. Hayden would be impressive. Williams is considered by some to be the best overall player in the draft after all. Yet is he worth missing out on a top flight talent at wide receiver? Possibly.
Working in Carr's favor is the fact that this draft class is deep at the WR position. It's more than possible that the Raiders could find a Day 1 starter on Day 2 of the draft. Overall, it's just very hard to argue with Williams' college production, especially if Cooper or White is off the board by the time Oakland picks.
Williams recorded 48 total tackles last year with seven sacks, 10 tackles for a loss, three passes broken up and three forced fumbles. Will that be enough to convince the Raiders? We'll see.
