The Las Vegas Raiders have gone from being predictable in the draft to pure chaos in a matter of days.
For the last month, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty felt like the safe selection for the Raiders. However, recent reports over the past few days have indicated that the Jacksonville Jaguars are interested in drafting him for their own purposes. This new revelation has created sudden pandemonium with the Raiders’ selection, leaving them scrambling for a contingency plan.
Draft analysts seem to have located one for the Raiders, and it is a complete shift away from what was expected a week ago.
A prospect who has never been mocked to the Raiders at six has gained serious momentum in the last 24 hours.
On Wednesday, in his final mock draft before the real thing kicks off later today, NFL’s Daniel Jeremiah has the Raiders looking into a new option: former Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks.
“With Jeanty unavailable, the Raiders decide to continue building at the line of scrimmage,” wrote Jeremiah. “I would assume Texas coach Steve Sarkisian gave his former boss, Pete Carroll, a strong recommendation on Banks. With Kolton Miller seeking a new contract, Banks gives Las Vegas insurance at left tackle. In the meantime, he could play guard if needed.”
Despite Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham and Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou still on the board, Jeremiah still elected to go with Banks at the pick. With Jeanty potentially being unavailable, depending on how accurate the information coming out of Jacksonville is, the Raiders could decide to go this route with Banks and still find a starting-caliber running back on Day Two.
The idea of Banks to the Raiders sounds far-fetched, but Jeremiah is not the only draft analyst considering it as a possibility.
“Many rate Armand Membou higher, but Raiders general manager John Spytek and part-owner Tom Brady, who is very much involved in this decision, are big on culture, and Banks is one of the highest-character players in the draft,” said draft analyst Todd McShay in his own mock draft.
“He would immediately compete for the starting job at right tackle or guard. Left tackle Kolton Miller is entering the final year of his contract, so this pick would represent a short-term upgrade with long-term flexibility built in.”
What once seemed a lock is no longer so, and the potential options for the Raiders is now one name longer.
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