The Oakland Raiders need an edge rusher plain and simple. Only the Jacksonville Jaguars were worse at getting to the QB, and the Raiders have surely felt the void left by Kamerion Wimbley.
But this isn’t a need they will settle through the open market. This is a team need that needs to be addressed through this year’s draft.
I feel they can find what they’re looking for in Bjoern Werner, FSU.
Werner is a big guy who moves well within the scrum. He’s lightning fast (well for an end, anyway) and uses his agility and off-the-line speed to get to the QB.
The Raiders will be looking for a true edge rusher rather than an interior tackle—Werner is their man.
Here’s an excerpt from my Mock Draft Piece regarding Werner and the Raiders:
“Werner excels as an edge rusher and has been compared to Chris Long of the Rams which isn’t too shabby. The only issue with Werner is his apparent lateral speed, or “chase” speed. In the end, I don’t think it’s the kind of issue that scares the Raiders away from such a quality pick in the first round.”
Keep in mind that from now until draft day, the focus on the DE position will undergo many changes. In regard to talent, this is by far the deepest position in the 2013 NFL Draft.
While there are plenty of talented players to choose from, however, I feel Werner is the best FIT for Oakland.
Let’s just hope Jacksonville doesn’t steal him away.
I’ll be wrapping up my coverage of the NFL with the San Diego Chargers next. Be sure to follow your team below, and thanks for reading guys!
| NFC North 2013 team Needs: | GREEN BAY PACKERS MINNESOTA VIKINGS CHICAGO BEARS DETROIT LIONS |
| NFC East 2013 Team Needs: | PHILADELPHIA EAGLES DALLAS COWBOYS WASHINGTON REDSKINS NEW YORK GIANTS |
| NFC South 2013 Team Needs: | ATLANTA FALCONS NEW ORLEANS SAINTS CAROLINA PANTHERS TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS |
| NFC West 2013 Team Needs: | ST. LOUIS RAMS SEATTLE SEAHAWKS ARIZONA CARDINALS SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS |
| AFC North 2013 Team Needs: | BALTIMORE RAVENS CINCINATTI BENGALS CLEVELAND BROWNS PITTSBURGH STEELERS |
| AFC East 2013 Team Needs: | NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS NEW YORK JETS MIAMI DOLPHINS BUFFALO BILLS |
| AFC South 2013 Team Needs: | INDIANAPOLIS COLTS HOUSTON TEXANS JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS TENNESSEE TITANS |
| AFC West 2013 Team Needs: | DENVER BRONCOS SAN DIEGO CHARGERS KANSAS CITY CHIEFS OAKLAND RAIDERS |
