Every week we will be giving you the scoop on some top college prospects to keep an eye every week as they could be great additions to the Raiders next season. These players would be great fits with the Raiders and have some interesting matchups this week. Here’s the guys to watch this week, and who they will be squaring off against:
Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame (vs. Oklahoma)
Nix would immediately step in and be the best interior lineman on the Raiders. He is one of the few defensive tackles who excels against the run as well as the pass, and he is an extremely disruptive force in the backfield capable of blowing plays up before they get started as his 7.5 tackles for loss in 2012 indicates.
His matchup against a very stout Oklahoma offensive line will give him a chance to really show the kind of player he can be. A dominant game against a team like the Sooners could cement his status as a top-5 pick, and putting him with Lamarr Houston would make the Raiders D-Line a serious problem.
Chris Smith, DE, Arkansas (vs. Texas A&M)
While Lamarr Houston has established himself as a cornerstone of this Raiders defense for years to come, the spot opposite him is currently occupied by Justin Hunter, a seven year veteran with very little upside. If the Raiders are unable to draft consensus top pick Jadeveon Clowney, Smith may be a good pickup in the 2nd round.
Smith has already tallied six sacks in the first four games for the Razorbacks and this week he will go head to head with Texas A&M star tackle Jake Matthews, a prospect who will almost definitely be a top-5 pick in this year’s draft. A good showing by Smith against another top prospect could really boost his draft stock.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama (vs. Ole Miss)
While the Raiders are set at safety with Tyvon Branch and Charles Woodson, the latter is obviously on his final legs and getting someone to replace Woodson’s playmaking and leadership will be no small task, but Clinton-Dix could be one to step up to the challenge.
He has outstanding ball skills and instincts are some of the best in college. It’s hard to stand out on a defense like Alabama’s but Clinton-Dix does it and Alabama has a game against a very underrated, but talented Ole Miss team. Clinton-Dix would be an outstanding addition and he is definitely one to watch this week and throughout the year.