The Raiders have hosted Quinnen Williams on a pre-draft visit. Nick Bosa and Josh Allen and Rashan Gary are bound for Alameda at some point prior to the NFL draft, as the Raiders continue researching defensive talent worthy of selection with the No. 4 overall draft pick.
Add another name to that list. Ed Oliver's Raiders facility visit comes Friday, NFL Network reports.
The University of Houston defensive lineman is another athletic freak who can dominate multiple spots. He popularity has increased after a stellar pro day, scouts have long considered Oliver a top talent who can get after the quarterback. Oliver primarily does so from the interior, a talent valued in this modern NFL.
Oliver could well be a Raiders option at No. 4, especially if Nick Bosa and Quinnen Williams are already gone.
He had 54 tackles, incluing 14.5 for a loss and three sacks. The sack total won't wow, but it's excused somewhat after Houston played him so much at nose tackle.
Oliver is often compared to Rams interior lineman Aaron Donald, though measuring up to a two-time defensive player of the year is a bit unfair. He does have a similar build and athletic testing scores.
He's a bit of a tweener at 6-foot-2, 282 pounds, but has the athleticism to make things happen inside. Oliver is certainly worthy of top 5 consideration as the Raiders get closer to making their pick.
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There are some elite defensive talents atop this draft, and getting one at No. 4 seems the most logical course.
Yes, the Raiders have looked into quarterbacks available super high as well, with meetings and workouts conducted with Kyler Murray and Dwayne Haskins.
The Raiders have four picks in the top 35 overall and three in the first round, providing a real opportunity to expedite their roster rebuild.
NFL Network reports that Penn State guard Connor McGovern also came in for a visit, as the Raiders look to remake their offensive line and fill a hole inside with Kelechi Osemele traded to the New York Jets.
