The NFL draft is clouded in secrecy, with each team preferring to keep its intensions strictly hush hush. The Raiders made a concerted effort to hide their plans after last year’s pre-draft leaks, yet their affinity for Josh Jacobs was common knowledge.
Raiders coach Jon Gruden wanted the Alabama running back in Silver and Black, with the No. 24 overall pick in this year's draft earmarked for him.
There was high anxiety that wouldn’t be enough. NBC Sports' Peter King reported in his latest Football Morning in America column that stress levels raised an octave, or five, when the Philadelphia Eagles traded up from No.