Arguably the best pass rusher in this NFL draft, Vic Beasley is going to be top 5 pick, and right now, the Oakland Raiders seem like the most serious team about him.
Beasley had four guys from the team, including defensive coordinator Ken Norton, take a good look at him in a workout as the Raiders, fourth overall in the selection order, are still undecided on whether to take a wide receiver (very high on Amari Cooper) or a pass rusher. Leonard Williams and Dante Fowler Jr. also come to mind as options.
But are they better than Beasley? The 22-year old out of Adairsville, Georgia and played his college ball for Clemson was one of the most consistent and productive outside linebackers in the country two years in a row. He led the ACC in sacks both in 2013 and 2014. He was a consensus All-American in 2013 and has the most sacks and tackles for a loss in the ACC since 2005.
The Raiders being the Raiders aren’t exactly a spot too many players want to land in, although defense isn’t always the butt of jokes over there. It’s usually huge problems on the other side of the field that make them seem like the most dysfunctional organization in the NFL for over a decade.
Taking that in mind, despite the wealth of good players to choose from, never be surprised by them making the wrong choice.