The Raiders used both of their Day 2 draft picks on defensive linemen so surely the health of defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. (neck) factored into these picks, no? “No,” said coach Jack Del Rio. Still, it is the first time since 2005 the Raiders have drafted defensive players in the first three rounds.
My take: Many observers were actually more impressed with the Raiders’ third-round selection of Calhoun than that of the second-rounder in Jihad Ward. And for good reason. The 6-feet-5, 250-pound Calhoun, whom Del Rio sees as more of a defensive end/SAM linebacker, had 23 career sacks at Michigan State, including nine last season.