The Jon Gruden-Mike Mayock era was famous for having their draft honey holes.
They loved poaching talent out of big-time programs, with Clemson and Alabama being top go-to schools. The Raiders drafted running back Josh Jacobs, wide receiver Henry Ruggs III and offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood in the first round out of Alabama the past three years.
However, now that Gruden and Mayock have been jettisoned, don’t expect the Raiders’ penchant for the Crimson Tide to end. Like the past Las Vegas brass, the new Raiders’ leadership has an affinity for Alabama players as well.
Josh McDaniels, Bill Belichick, and Nick Saban liked what they saw at Mac Jones’s pro day and have selected the Alabama QB at No.