With one of their two fifth round picks, the Oakland Raiders added youth to the middle linebacker position that needed to be overhauled with the release of Nick Roach due to concussion issues that have the veteran on the verge of retirement. Selecting an athletic interior linebacker who compiled 100+ tackles in two full seasons in the Big 12 by drafting Kansas standout Ben Heeney.
Despite playing on losing Jayhawks teams, Heeney put up a 2012 season with 112 tackles before a 2014 season with 127. In 2013 Heeney played just 10 games, but had 88 tackles and three interceptions that season.