2012 NFL Draft: 5 Defensive Lineman the Oakland Raiders Could Draft

Elias Trejo – Apr 12, 2012

The NFL Draft is less than two weeks away and the Oakland Raiders are prepared to draft the best player available in this years draft. There could be plenty of defensive linemen there for the taking when the Raiders use any of their five picks. Here is a list of five defensive lineman that could become Oakland Raiders.

Josh Chapman DT Alabama

Chapman has already visited the Oakland Raiders and could be on Reggie McKenzie's radar. McKenzie emphasized the fact that Oakland will take the best player available. He also mentioned that if they can pick up a guy with great size and strength they would take him. Chapman fits that mold. He stands at 6'1" and weighs 319 pounds. He would make a great addition to the defensive line and could fit in well with John Henderson gone. 

Tyrone Crawford DE Boise State

Crawford was part of Boise State's stellar defensive line. At 6'4" tall and weighing in at 275 pounds he is a big defensive end. His strength is getting out of his stance quick and getting into the backfield. He can create pressure with his quickness and size. He is strong at stopping the run and could provide Oakland with another strong defensive end. Crawford could be available in the 3rd or 4th round.  He doesn't have much starting experience, but would have time to hone his skills behind Matt Shaughnessy and Lamarr Houston. 

Akiem Hicks DT Regina University

Mckenzie said this during his pre-draft news conference, "It is hard to find 6-6, 311-pound defensive linemen that are athletic. And then to top it off, that are good. So if you get a chance to get one, you take him." Hicks is 6'5" and weighs 318 pounds. He is very athletic, strong and has a huge upside. He has a lot of things he needs to work on, but playing behind Richard Seymour and Tommy Kelly could prove valuable to the rookie from Canada.

Dominique Hamilton DT Missouri

Hamilton would make a great pick up for the Raiders in the very late rounds of the draft. He stands at 6'5" and weighs 313 pounds. He has great size and has been very durable in his career. Like Hicks, there is plenty of things that Hamilton can work on when he gets into the NFL, but you can't teach size. Having the ability to play behind Seymour and Kelly would also benefit Hamilton. Oakland needs more depth along the defensive line and drafting Hamilton in the late rounds would provide the Raiders with much needed size and depth. 

Julian Miller DE West Virginia

Miller could easily be available after the 4th round. According to WalterFootball.com he was moved a lot along the defensive line and that hurt his stats in his final year at West Virginia. Miller is a versatile player who could provide the Raiders with depth at defensive end. He could be drafted by Oakland with one of their 5th round picks. Pass rushers are important in the NFL and Oakland could pick up a strong pass rusher late in the draft with Miller.