Mayock: Plenty of Draft Options to Help Raiders' Interior Pass Rush

The Raiders want a better interior pass rush. That's no secret, especially after they finished 2016 with a league-low 25 sacks despite getting 18 combined from edge rushers Khalil Mack and Bruce Irvin.

Head coach Jack Del Rio said that was an issue at season's end, and general manager Reggie McKenzie mentioned a desire to improve at every level of his defense.

He has a reputation for building a bully up front as he did on the offensive line. He can add players through free agency, but quality veterans cost a pretty penny during a time when prioritizing extensions for Derek Carr and Khalil Mack . The NFL Draft might provide an opportunity to strengthen the interior defensive front.

Respected NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said in a Monday conference call that there are plenty of interior options in a deep defensive draft. He says quality can be found when the Raiders pick first at No. 24 overall, or later in the selection process.

"I think there is really good depth in the first three or four rounds for the interior D-line," Mayock said.

That's good news for the Raiders. They'll get a closer look at interior linemen during this week's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, when prospects go under the microscope in workouts and meetings during a pivotal pre-draft gathering.

Florida's Caleb Brantley and Michigan State's Malik McDowell have been mentioned as possible late first-round options who might entice the Raiders at No. 24.

Mayock believes Brantley could help the Raiders inside, especially as a pass rusher.

"I think he's intriguing," Mayock said. "He's a quick, one-gap guy. I don't think you want him playing three downs every snap. But as far as an ability to rush the quarterback and get an edge on interior offensive linemen, I think he's got that burst that you're looking for."

The Raiders aren't necessarily looking for a three-down player. They have some run-stopping specialists under contract next season, especially Justin Ellis. It's possible Dan Williams gets released to create more cap room, but the Raiders could survive adding someone who can get after the passer inside.

McDowell is an intriguing prospect as well. He has immense natural talent and physical size – McKenzie prefers drafting big guys up front – though he needs refinement. Like Raiders 2015 second-round pick Mario Edwards Jr., McDowell was a five-star recruit out of high school who had some injury issues last season. He's a versatile piece with a high ceiling at just 20 years old, and could work well with the line rotation and create havoc inside.

Edwards Jr. is capable of doing that when healthy. He missed most of last season with a hip injury, which left too much responsibility on raw rookie Jihad Ward and other unfit to getting a steady pass rush.

"I think he's one of those guys that can kick inside in sub packages," Mayock said. "I think he's got that kind of size and versatility to play inside and out, and they really missed him."

Mayock also mentioned interior options outside the first round, including Charlotte's Larry Ogunjobi. He considers Ogunjobi a second-round pick with pass-rush ability and potential in the run game.

"There are some guys out there that can help even through the third round," Mayock said.

The analyst mentioned UCLA's Eddie Vanderdoes, Tulane's Tanzel Smart, Auburn's Montravius Adams and Iowa's Jaleel Johnson as options through the third round.

There are other options at No. 24 overall, especially if quality interior defensive linemen are available in later rounds. The Raiders need help at interior linebacker and in the secondary. Latavius Murray could leave in free agency, and while there's plenty of depth in that position group a Stanford product could interest the Raiders at No. 24.

"Who is going to help them? Is Christian McCaffrey on the clock at that point? Who could help the Oakland Raiders at No. 24?" Mayock said. "I think the running back situation is interesting. I'm not sure there are going to be any tackles at that point. I think they also have to look at linebackers and at 24, I think there are some interesting guys off the line linebackers also."

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