Every week we will be giving you the scoop on some top college football prospects to keep an eye every week as they could be great additions to the Oakland Raiders next season. These players would be great fits with the Raiders and have some interesting matchups this week.
Here’s the guys to watch this week, and who they will be squaring off against:
Marqise Lee, WR, USC (vs. Stanford)
Since he stepped foot on campus, Marqise Lee has been as dominant an offensive player as there has been in college football. He’s not the physical monster that Calvin Johnson or Julio Jones are, but his speed and playmaking ability are unlike anything we have seen from a wideout in a long time.
Unlike the current wide receivers on the Raiders, Lee has proven he can thrive as a number one target even when defenses prepare to stop him. He is also an explosive kick and punt returner, giving the Raiders multiple ways to use him if he were to join the team. Stanford’s defense is one of the best in the nation and recently shut down the unstoppable Oregon Ducks. If Lee can have another dominating performance against the Cardinal, it could go a long way towards cementing him as the top receiver in this class.
Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas (vs. Oklahoma St.)
The need to find someone to put on the other side of Lamarr Houston has been spoken on many times, but it continues to be a pressing need. The Raiders have struggled to consistently generate a pass rush and that has hindered the defense from becoming one of the best in the league.
Jeffcoat is a rugged end who has the speed to bring pressure off the edge as well as pursue plays going away from him. He has had a couple of injuries in the past that is worth keeping an eye on but if those check out he is big, strong, with more room on his frame to add bulk. A matchup against Oklahoma St. provides Jeffcoat with a big stage to produce.
Oklahoma St. has one of the premier offenses in the country and dominating the line of scrimmage is key to stopping them. If Jeffcoat can put on a show against the Cowboys, it could provide a nice bump to his draft stock. Currently a second round pick, he may be able to play himself to the end of the first round.
Lache Seastrunk, RB, Baylor (vs. Texas Tech)
This draft class has a lack of big time running backs. Oregon’s De’Anthony Thomas is one of the most explosive players in college football history, but with the struggles of Reggie Bush, teams could be hesitant to take him. The best pure running back in this class could arguably be Seastrunk, a former Duck who transferred to Oregon.
He is an extremely explosive back, but also possesses power and the ability to pick up yards after contact. Extremely capable between or outside the tackles, Seastrunk is a complete runner who could immediately step in for the Raiders, especially with the status of Darren McFadden completely in the air.
Seastrunk does struggle to catch the ball out of the backfield right now and will need to improve that, but the foundation for a productive NFL career is there. Baylor is one of the surprise teams in college football this year, but this will be one of their tougher matchups against the Red Raiders. If Seastrunk can string together some good performances starting this week, his stock could skyrocket. He would be awesome for the Raiders at the top of the second round.
