On the second day of the NFL draft, the Oakland Raiders took an interesting course — bypassing some well-known prospects — and selecting an explosive defensive tackle, another offensive tackle and an edge rusher.
The Raiders’ first pick of the second round, P.J. Hall of Sam Houston State, was a nose tackle in college and will plug into the line at defensive tackle. Hall, 6-1 and 310 pounds, had a huge senior season at Sam Houston (in the smaller FCS division), with 60 tackles, 19 for loss, six sacks and four blocked kicks. He was the Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
Lance Zierlein of NFL.com noted in his scouting report that "what Hall lacks in height, weight and length he makes up for with power, quickness and explosiveness." The main concern, says Zierlein, is if he can hold up playing against the big offensive bodies across from him.
In the third round Friday night, the Raiders — one day after selecting offensive Kolton Miller in the first round — took another tackle, Brandon Parker of North Carolina A&T, who stands 6-foot-8 and weighs 305 pounds.
Parker was the MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2017 and three-time first team all-conference. He’s considered a bit of a project, in that he’ll be making a big jump from MEAC play to the NFL, but is long and athletic. He showed his rough spots at the Senior Bowl, where he allowed two sacks and six pressures in 23 pass-block snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Raiders’ final pick of the night went for edge rusher Arden Key of LSU, a 6-foot-5, 238-pounder who had 15½ sacks as a senior, and could be the edge rusher the team has been seeking. Pro Football Focus noted he had 60 quarterback pressures over 2016 and 2017.
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock says Key’s quickness is "phenomenal." However, in college he had some off-the-field issues and had to take a leave of absence for personal reasons last spring.
