The Oakland Raiders' Super Bowl hopes were derailed by a Derek Carr injury, but this team remains in its window for a title. Holding the No. 24 overall pick in the NFL Draft this year, the Raiders should be able to add an impact player to help their quest for a championship. Defense will likely be the focus, but a running back could be the pick as well.
While there will be far more than just a few players the Raiders target in round one, we've narrowed down the list. With that in mind, here are three players the Raiders could target with the No. 24 pick.
1) Gareon Conley, CB, Ohio State
The Raiders really need a linebacker, but Conley just has too much value. He can line up anywhere at corner, giving the Raiders the No. 3 option they so badly need. He'd be a big boost to the Raiders' secondary, and adding Conley would also allow the Raiders to move on from Sean Smith if his play declines in the near future.
2) Zach Cunningham, LB, Vanderbilt
Malcolm Smith is gone, the Raiders missed on Zach Brown and Perry Riley is still unsigned. With only Jelani Jenkins arriving, the Raiders' top need is clearly at linebacker. Cunningham could be the answer to that problem. I expect both Haason Reddick and Reuben Foster to be off the board, meaning the linebacker options will likely be limited to Cunningham and Florida's Jarrad Davis. I think Cunningham is the more likely option. The Raiders could plug him in as a starter from day one.
3) Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State
There was a point in the pre-draft process where it would have been laughable to think that Cook could fall to the Raiders, but now it's looking like a real possibility. Even with Oakland expecting to add Marshawn Lynch, they still plan to draft a running back - and Cook could be a guy who holds down the position for the next decade. He has excellent vision, good speed and is a reliable receiver out of the backfield.
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