2015draftcapsules

Archives

Coaches

Day in Court

Depth Chart

Game Preview

Home

Links

Roster

Schedule

Tickets

Transactions

Raiders Draft Capsules

A quick look at Oakland's 2015 NFL Draft picks:

Amari Cooper
WR, Alabama
6-1, 211
1st round, 4th overall

Key Stats: Cooper won the 2014 Biletnikoff Award as college football's top receiver, setting an SEC record with 124 receptions as a junior. He finished his three-year Crimson Tide career with 228 catches for 3,463 yards and 31 TDs, averaging 15.2 yards per catch.

Rookie Impact: Cooper moves to the head of the class among the Raiders' vanilla corps of receivers. Cooper is a terrific complement for rising QB Derek Carr.

Did You Know?: Cooper is only the third receiver taken by the Raiders in the top 10 of the draft since 1967. Tim Brown, selected in 1988, is the last receiver drafted by the Raiders to gain at least 1,000 yards receiving in a single season. The Raiders haven't had a receiver reach 1,000 yards since Randy Moss in 2005, tied with Jacksonville for the longest current drought in the league.

Mario Edwards Jr.
DL, Florida State
6-4, 251
2nd round, 35th overall

Key Stats: Edwards is considered strong against the run but had only eight sacks in three seasons at Florida State. He contributed 44 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles during the 2014 season for the Seminoles.

Rookie Impact: Edwards has the versatility to play end and tackle. He could contribute immediately as an interior lineman in Oakland's 4-3 defense and slide to the outside in pass rushing situations.

Did You Know?: Edwards father, Mario Edwards Sr., was a cornerback for five seasons with Tampa Bay and Dallas.


Oakland first-year linebackers coach Sal Sunseri was Edwards' position coach at Florida State the past two seasons.

Clive Walford
TE, Miami
6-3, 294
3rd round, 68 overall

Key Stats: Walford was a four-year starter for the Hurricanes, contributing 121 catches for 1,753 yards and 14 TDs. He averaged 14.5 yards per reception.

Rookie Impact: Walford will compete for playing time at tight end with starter Mychal Rivera and former Buffalo Bill Lee Smith. Rivera and Walford on the field together in passing or running formations has the potential to create matchup probelms for defenses.

Did You Know?: Walford reportedly only dropped two of 58 targets as a Miami senior.

Jon Feliciano
G, Miami
6-5, 320
4th round, 128 overall

Key Stats: Feliciano, who made 46 starts at guard and tackle for the Hurricanes, allowed just four sacks the past three seasons.

Rookie Impact: Feliciano is expected to compete at right guard with converted tackle Khalif Barnes and Matt McCants. Last year's Oakland starter, Austin Howard, moved to right tackle.

Did You Know?: Feliciano is a physical player who started 24 of his final 26 games at guard or tackle for the Hurricanes.

Ben Heeney
ILB, Kansas
6-0, 231
5th round, 140 overall

Key Stats: Heeney was a first team All-Big 12 selection in 2014, finishing his Jayhawks career with 35.5 tackles for loss and four interceptions.

Rookie Impact: Heeney was employed at inside linebacker at Kansas but has the athleticism to move to the outside in Oakland's 4-3 defense. He will need to contribute on special teams to land a roster spot.

Did You Know?: Heeney had 16 missed tackles during the 2014 season, according to Pro Football Focus, the most for any draft eligible inside or middle linebacker from a power five conference.

Neiron Ball
OLB, Florida
6-2, 236
5th round, 161 overall

Key Stats: Ball started 16 of 45 games at Florida and contributed 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks with an interception.

Rookie Impact: The high-energy Ball reportedly underwent microfracture knee surgery in November 2014 and may not be cleared medically to play in his rookie season. When healthy, he projects as a versatile linebacker who can cover and play the run and a standout special teammer.

Did You Know?: Ball reportedly underwent brain surgery in 2011 after being diagnosed with rare, hereditary condition. He also lost both of his parents before the age of 10.

Max Valles
OLB/DE, Virginia
6-5 251
6th round, 179 overall

Key Stats: Valles recorded 13 sacks and 18 tackles for loss in 22 games (16 starts) for the Cavaliers. He entered the NFL Draft following his redshirt sophomore year at Virginia.

Rookie Impact: Valles has the size and athleticism to develop into an edge prescence but reportedly needs to develop a football acumen.

Did You Know?: Valles is the third linebacker chosen by Oakland in a row after the selections of Ben Heeney and Neiron Ball in the fifth round.

Anthony Morris
OT, Tennessee State
6-7 303
7th round, 218 overall

Key Stats: Morris was a starter his final two seasons at Tennessee State. As a senior, he helped block for an offense that had 3,268 passing yards and 23 TD passes.

Rookie Impact: Morris is expected to compete for a roster spot as a backup offensive lineman. He could end up on Oakland's practice squad in his first NFL season.

Did You Know?: Tennessee State has 22 offensive linemen taken in the NFL Draft, including two each in the last two seasons.

Andre Debose
WR, Florida
6-0 190
7th round, 221 overall

Key Stats: Debose set a Florida record of four kickoff returns for touchdowns despite being hampered by injuries. He finished his Gators career with 540 receiving yards and four TDs, averaging 18.0 yards per catch.

Rookie Impact: Debose has the speed and elusiveness to excel as a kick returner and a special teams gunner.

Did You Know?: DeBose reportedly was at Florida for six years, due to a redshirt season and a medical redshirt in a different season.

Dexter McDonald
CB, Kansas
6-1 200
7th round, 242 overall

Key Stats: McDonald started 24 games over his final two seasons with the Jayhawks. He contributed 58 tackles, 25 pass breakups and four interceptions in three seasons at Kansas.

Rookie Impact: McDonald has a chance to land a backup role at defensive back if he contributes early on special teams. As a cornerback, he combines outstanding size with good coverage skills and closing speed.

Did You Know?: McDonald reportedly left Kansas as a freshman after 2012, spent a year at Butler Community College and then returned to Kansas in 2013 for his final two seasons.

Contributing: Associated Press & Rotoworld

Updated: 05-02-2015

OAKLAND RAIDERS RAP

Archives | Court | Home | Links | Schedule | Tickets