With many expecting the Las Vegas Raiders to take former Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza, their draft-making process really doesn’t start until Day 2, and they have to decide which position and player they want in Round 2 if they don’t trade back into the first round.
One of the directions that the Silver and Black could take in the second or perhaps trading back into Round 1 is for a wideout to potentially pair with Mendoza. There are several options late in the first round and if one falls into Round 2. If Las Vegas decides to go with a receiver, it will be interesting to see which player they want to target.
Nonetheless, Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine states that the Raiders should avoid drafting former Washington Huskies star Denzel Boston.
“Denzel Boston figures to be a name who could be in the mix. He’s ranked 30th on our big board and seventh among receivers,” Ballentine wrote in his April 19 article. “But the 6’4 “, 212-pounder is not a separator. B/R scout Dame Parson praised Boston for his contested catch ability, but would like to see more from him as a route runner…
“The Raiders already have a downfield contested catch threat in Brock Bowers. That’s also the calling card for Jack Bech if he turns the corner as a prospect. If the Raiders are going to target a receiver for Mendoza they would be better off targeting a more diverse receiver like Omar Cooper Jr.”
Raiders Told to Trade Up for Denzel Boston
Meanwhile, ESPN NFL analyst Mina Kimes feels differently than Ballentine as she notes that the Raiders should move back into the first round to ensure that they land Boston and don’t wait to see if he falls in to the second round.
“If you’ve got a big guy who catches everything, do we stop liking that in the NFL? Which brings me to the team that I want to take [Boston],” Kimes said in an April 9 video from “The Mina Kimes Show featuring Lenny.” “I want the Las Vegas Raiders to trade back into the first round and get Fernando Mendoza the X receiver he deserves.
“The best throw in Fernando Mendoza’s arsenal is that beautiful back-shoulder ball that’s on the money. He needs a big-bodied receiver who catches everything. It’s such a missing component right now in their offense.”
Last season for the Huskies, Boston posted an 87.7 overall PFF grade, ranking 14th among 679 qualified wide receivers. His 86.6 receiving grade also stood out, placing him 25th among the same group.
Moreover, he finished the year with 56 catches on 86 targets for 755 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 13.5 yards per reception.
Las Vegas Urged to Draft a Wideout on Day 2
Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler believes the Silver and Black need to reunite Mendoza with his former college teammate by selecting Elijah Sarratt on Day 2.
“I really like the idea of a young quarterback having familiarity with his favorite receiver at the college level,“ Brugler said during an April 15 appearance on Raider Nation Radio. “The chemistry they had, you see those back-shoulder throws, you see all the timing routes, is so impressive.
“The idea of introducing that to an NFL offense, whether he’s a big slot or if he plays on the outside, I think that’s what makes your wide receiver room better, regardless of who’s at quarterback. Especially when Mendoza’s in there.”
Raiders Issued Clear Denzel Boston Warning Before NFL Draft