It will be hard for Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie to draft a better group of players in 2016 than he did in 2015.
Now that the season is over, and Oakland improved to 7-9 following a 3-13 season, it’s clear that McKenzie’s most recent draft was terrific.
Back in May, a Sports Illustrated assessment of every team’s draft gave the Raiders a solid B-plus, citing wide receiver Amari Cooper as a sure thing and noting the potential of tight end Clive Walford and linebacker Ben Heeney, but questioning the selection of defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. in the second round.
But McKenzie and the Raiders deserve an A for a draft class that contributed significantly – especially as the season rolled on. The top six picks – Cooper, Edwards, Walford, offensive lineman Jon Feliciano, Heeney and linebacker Neiron Ball – all showed signs they’ll play big roles in the seasons ahead.
Cooper led the team in receiving yards (1,070 on 72 catches), Edwards became a force the more snaps he got (two sacks, 42 tackles), Walford lived up to his billing with 28 catches and an 11.8-yard average after getting off to a slow start and splitting time with Mychal Rivera, Heeney took over the starting role at middle linebacker, Feliciano worked his way into the line rotation late in the season and Ball showed good speed and pass-coverage skills until an injury shut him down.
“I think all in all, it was a very solid class,” head coach Jack Del Rio told reporters after the end of the season. “A lot of good participation throughout the class. You start with the number one pick, obviously. Coop had a real good rookie year, a real nice start to his career. So proud of him for the way he came in and was a pro from Day 1.
“You go right down the line. Clive played well, caught four or five more balls yesterday (actually, four vs. the Chiefs). You can see where some of that athleticism we were so excited aout back in the spring has really developed into somebody that’s going to be a good player for us going forward. Ben Heeney made a bunch of play again yesterday and he’s emerged and done some good things. Feliciano started again and has done some solid work there.”
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McKenzie goes into this year’s draft with the 14th choice overall in the first round. He’ll also have all his picks for every round through the seventh, with extra picks in Rounds 5 and 6.
A third straight impact draft, following the 2015 and 2014 selections, will create even optimism for the Raiders to make a jump in the AFC West in 2016.
