ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Pass rush goes hand in hand with pass coverage.
So has said NFL defensive player of the year Khalil Mack who has 30 sacks in 48 career games for the Oakland Raiders, 26 over the past two seasons.
The thinking obviously is that the longer a secondary can cover receivers, the more time it gives pass-rushers to get to the quarterback. Hence the term “coverage sack.”
So while Oakland coach Jack Del Rio made a point in his season-ending media conference to say the Raiders need to improve their interior pass rush next year, that does not mean they need to use their first-round draft pick on a pass-rushing defensive tackle.
At least, not in the eyes of ESPN NFL draft insider Mel Kiper Jr. In his mock draft 2.0, Kiper picked a cornerback for the Raiders at No. 24 overall ... even after Oakland spent much money last season on free agent Sean Smith and re-signed David Amerson.
Florida junior Quincy Wilson is a relatively big corner, at 6-foot-1, 213 pounds, and he had three interceptions and six pass breakups along with 3.5 tackles for loss last fall. The Raiders have a unique scouting report on Wilson, with Del Rio’s son Luke the starting quarterback in Gainesville.
The last time the Raiders used a first-round pick on a cornerback, DJ Hayden arrived in 2013. And while he finally found a role as the nickel corner, Hayden never panned out as a shutdown corner worthy of a first-round pick. He could be on his way out in free agency.
Wilson, who has six career interceptions and was a starter the past two seasons, is probably too big to play in the slot. But with a skill set resembling that of Smith, who was benched in his first game and did not play up to his $40 million contract, perhaps he could learn a thing or two from the veteran?
In his mock draft 1.0, Kiper had selected Michigan State junior defensive tackle Malik McDowell, who was not in Kiper's first round this time around.
