2018 NFL Draft: Raiders primed to draft Alabama’s Bo Scarbrough?

Raiders fans should keep an eye on Alabama football this season for their next star, who could be available in the 2018 NFL Draft

Oakland boosted their offense in 2017 with the acquisition of retired running back Marshawn Lynch, who signed a two-year deal. Known Marshawn Lynch, he could come into training camp and retire, but he appears to be ready for at least 2017.

After that, who knows with Lynch. Oakland takes on no dead money should they lose Lynch in 2018 to retirement or injury. That was built into the contract on purpose, saving the Raiders from a $6 million cap hit.

Beyond Lynch, the running back depth on Oakland’s roster is murky at best. Taiwan Jones is a free agent after this year, leaving DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard as the only backs on long-term deals.

Even if Lynch does return for 2018, the Raiders need to add a young running back, and the 2018 NFL Draft is filled with them.

Penn State’s Saquon Barkley is the best of the class, but unless the Raiders finish in the bottom five, he’s unlikely to be in Oakland.

Nick Chubb’s injury history will scare off some teams, and LSU’s Derrius Guice is a mystery, for now, after Leonard Fournette left the Tigers.

That leaves Bo Scarbrough from Alabama, a Heisman contender who could fall in the mid to late first round. Slightly larger than Lynch, Scarbrough ran for 11 touchdowns with the Tide on their way to another championship appearance.

Giving the team gets players like Khalil Mack, Derek Carr, and Gabe Jackson locked into new contracts, the depth chart will be stocked. With few needs on the roster, getting a star like Scarbrough would be a fantastic move for the Raiders.

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Complete the offense in Oakland long-term with Scarbrough next to Carr, and the Raiders should be on the road to a Super Bowl sooner than later.