This franchise is looking for long-term success and with a good group of young play makers on offense, the only thing missing is a pass catching tight end that can stretch the seams and provide David Carr with another big target in the red zone.
While most experts believe the front office will concentrate on the defense in next years player draft, finding another weapon on offense could be the move that makes this offense one of the best in the league and a move that will help build on the momentum of this season.
CBS Sports has released their latest mock and projects Virginia Tech youngster Bucky Hodges in the first round. The former quarterback has played at wide receiver, but has grown into a tight end role and has enough upside to expect a solid professional career, but it seems a reach to take a player with such limited experience in the first round and that could have management looking in a different direction.
NFL Draft site has another option and one that makes more sense, Michigan product Jake Butt. At 6’5″ and nearly 260 pounds, the 21-year-old is a prototypical tight end and tops on the latest player rankings. Butt is excellent in the passing game, but is also a quality run blocker, an asset that makes the young man an all-around talent and able to play no matter the situation.
If the Oakland Raiders decide to go defense, linebacker is the biggest priority. Ruben Foster of Alabama and Zach Cunningham of Vanderbilt have both had terrific seasons in the tough SEC and would be a great fit for the ‘Silver and Black’, but with the depth at the position deep in 2017, offense should be the option in the opening round.
