With the 2019 NFL Draft behind us, the most talked about Oakland Raider draft picks will be the three the team landed in the first round. Mike Mayock's first draft as general manager will be determined by how Clelin Ferrell, Josh Jacobs and Johnathan Abrams pan out.
Even later round players such as fourth-rounder Foster Moreau will have an opportunity to shine in year one. If a player heard their name called, clearly the team has faith that one day they can be a difference maker.
What fans likely won't hear much from are the team's undrafted free agents. The Raiders signed 10 players after the draft and invited another 14 to rookie minicamp. These players may not have been drafted, but could still make a difference.
We saw last year with Phillip Lindsay just how vital an undrafted free agent can be. If the Raiders are able to land a difference maker, on top of their three first rounders, then this draft class could be a major success.
It's unlikely that many of the UDFAs have a huge first year impact, but a few certain have a shot. As training camp nears, these players will be looking to prove that they deserve a spot on the 53-man roster.
Keelan Doss, Wide Receiver, UC Davis
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5KtAzbpZEw UC Davis' Keelan Doss was one of the more highly touted wide receiver prospects in this year's draft. Daniel Jeremiah had him ranked as the 99th best prospect in the class. However, due to an injury, Doss fell out of the draft altogether.Doss entered the draft with high expectations following a prolific college career. In four years at UC Davis, Doss caught 321 passes for 4,069 yards and 28 touchdowns. NFL Analyst Lance Zierlein gave Doss a fifth round grade heading into the draft.
Wins with a high football IQ and above average skill level, but has to prove he can transfer those elements into catches against NFL coverage. He is not a burner and can be a little delayed in defeating press, but he just has a feel for finding catches using above-average route savvy and ball skills. His lack of top-end speed and suddenness could push him towards a role as a big slot and WR3/WR4.A big slot receiver could be exactly where Doss could excel for the Raiders. It's unlikely that he takes over for Antonio Brown or Tyrell Williams. However, at slot receiver currently former Clemson Tiger Hunter Renfrow is slated to start. If Doss were to make the team, he could function as the thunder to Renfrow's lightning. Renfrow is the faster of the two backs, making him much more of a burner against larger nickel cornerbacks. Doss, who stands 6'2" could work in the red zone and function against smaller nickels. Jeremiah, who as mentioned had Doss in his top 100 prospects, compares the former Aggie to current Charger wide receiver Keenan Allen.
Doss will need to get over his injury and of course learn how to play against higher levels of competition. That being said, it's unlikely that any undrafted receiver in the entire league has a better chance of sticking on a roster than Doss. After shockingly going undrafted, the former FCS star looks like he could be a true difference maker for the Raiders.
Lester Cotton, Guard, Alabama
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNTJDw16a3w It was a bit surprising to see the Raiders not draft a guard after trading Kelechi Osemele to the Jets earlier this offseason. However, they may have acquired a diamond in the rough at the position with Lester Cotton. Standing 6'4" 324 pounds, Cotton is a massive guard. He started 28 games for the Crimson Tide over his four year career. He allowed zero sacks his senior season and just three quarterback hits. Cotton went undrafted due to multiple different injuries he suffered throughout his career. If he stayed healthy his talent and college pedigree, he entered as a four star recruit, might've gotten him drafted. Heading into the draft, Jon Ledyard of the NFL Draft Network was impressed with Cotton's size and power.Massive guard with an immovable anchor and nasty edge to his game. Rarely pushed around and sets the tone physically as often as possible. Raw power to rag-doll interior defensive lineman to the ground (Rakeem Christmas knows). Hand placement is very good, able to lock down interior d-lineman early in the rep to allow his feet to catch up.Cotton showed during the National Championship game how powerful he could be.
Currently Denzelle Good is poised to start at right guard with Chaz Green behind him. Both received below average grades from Pro Football Focus last year and aren't likely the future at the position. Cotton has the college pedigree and talent to end up seeing snaps on the Raiders' line. He has to stay healthy, but Cotton certainly had the talent to be drafted and could eventually end up being a steal.
Te'Von Coney, Linebacker, Notre Dame
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOlCqOOtXnI Te'Von Coney out of Notre Dame was another shocking undrafted free agent. PFF had him ranked as their 57th best overall prospect in the draft. The site wrote that both his coverage and run-defense grade were top 10 among linebackers. Unfortunately, Coney was busted for marijuana possession and suffered an injury while at Notre Dame, causing him to fall out of the draft. Luckily for the Raiders, there's a chance the team landed a future starter at linebacker in Coney. During his four years with the Fighting Irish, Coney amassed 313 tackles with 23 coming for a loss including seven sacks. He has a knack for stopping the runner near or at the line of scrimmage.Zerlein gave Coney a fourth or fifth round draft grade and compared him to Saints linebacker Craig Robertson.
Coney is an average athlete with average size but shows an impressive resilience to stay alive and make tackles, even when he looks like he might be blocked. He's consistent as a square-up, wrap-up tackler, but teams might want to see him play with more juice as a disruptor willing to take a few more downhill chances. If he runs well and adds some beef, Coney could project as an average starter at a two-down, inside linebacker spot.Right now Brandon Marshall has the inside linebacker spot locked down. But he is under contract for just one season. If Coney makes the team, there's a chance he could battle for a starting role come 2020. It isn't often you find a talent like Coney in the UDFA period. If he could get over his red flags and play like how he did at Notre Dame, the Raiders might have found themselves a future starter on defense.
