Oakland Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie used his first three NFL draft picks on defensive players and six of the team’s nine on that side of the ball.
Ed Graney
Ed Graney is a sports columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, covering a variety of topics and the Las Vegas sports scene.
egraney@reviewjournal.com … @edgraney on Twitter. 702-383-4618
Perhaps one reason Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie is so confident in his evaluation of Gareon Conley’s character is how well the Raiders have drafted and signed when it comes to limiting such off-field issues.
On the day lifelong fan Tom Hanks disagreed with Oakland’s move to Las Vegas, the Raiders drafted a player with the sort of silver and black cloud hovering over his resume that defines the pick as risky and, well, a bit arrogant.
It’s the smartest journey for players and coaches to travel, given it’s both unsure exactly when the Raiders will arrive in Southern Nevada and, really, who among the current roster will accompany them.
The story of how Reggie McKenzie went from burning on a hot seat as the Raiders began the 2014 season by losing their first 10 games to building an AFC playoff team.
