General Manager Reggie McKenzie loves his draft picks and builds through the draft. The 2014 draft put the Raiders organization back on track with the additions of Derek Carr and Khalil Mack, both the future of this organization as well as playmakers on both sides of the ball. Not to mention they got a pretty good receiver in Amari Cooper in last year’s draft.
In his time with the Raiders, he has traded down, but the question is, come Thursday does he trade up?
Many Raider fans have their eyes on running back Ezekiel Elliott, however he is a expected to be taken off the board early and the Raiders have the 14th pick in the draft this year (a pretty big accomplishment in itself after being in the top five the past two years). While the Raiders could use another running back to compliment Latavius Murray and take some of the pressure off his shoulders, it's unknown what the Raiders will do Thursday night, and McKenzie is giving no hints when it comes to his intentions.
While Oakland has addressed many of their needs via free agency, they will continue to build through the draft to keep this team developing and in contention for years to come.
McKenzie describes draft picks as “invaluable” and it’s no secret the man does not like nor want to give up draft picks.
That being said, if the right offer comes about, he needs to pull the trigger.
The Raiders puzzle is nearly complete, they aren’t a team in need of several picks this year, they have a few more positions accounted for and they may become unanimous favorites to win their division.
Of course the expectations will have to translate to their play on the field, after all what’s on paper means absolutely nothing, but regardless this is a much improved team. Last year they went 7-9 with expectations on the rise as the weeks progressed and the youngsters developed learning week by week. The players are aware of the expectations, and the offseason acquisitions have the media abuzz with hype as this franchise makes huge strides for the future.
Now, McKenzie can’t afford to trade several picks nor should he. If the right deal is there he should make it to not only get the best player available, but also fulfill a need of his team and improve the depth of the roster.
The Rams and Eagles completed blockbuster trades and surrendered several picks for the first and second overall picks in this years draft, but this team isn’t in a desperate need of any one player or any one position; and that’s something Raider Nation isn’t quite used to.
It will be interesting to see what the Raiders do come Thursday night, but they are in a position where they have options. McKenzie knows how to negotiate, if he can reach a deal he likes to move up and get a player on his board, then he will. If he can’t then there’s no real loss in that.