Predicting the Raiders pick: Round 3

Round 3 is where the Raiders draft a running back.

Anticlimactic, sure, but they get extreme value — and a nice complement to Latavius Murray that forces defenses to adapt more and strengthens the core of the offense.

There choices are only pared down Ezekiel Elliot, Derrick Henry, Jordan Howard, Devontae Booker, and C.J. Prosise at this point. They have a lot of backs to choose from.

Paul Perkins of UCLA has an ideal frame, weight and has been labeled a poor man’s Jamaal Charles.

U.C. Berkeley running back Daniel Lasco also has a solid frame, and tremendous straight line speed, but lacks the requisite agility to thrive in the NFL.

Kenneth Dixon of Louisiana Tech is a bowling ball that knocks down pins any smaller than 150 percent of his size, but that style only lasts so long in the NFL.

It’s another runner, though, who get’s his name called here.

Final round 3 prediction

Kenyan Drake sat behind Derrick Henry at Alabama, but has a unique set of skills, similar to De’Anthony Thomas. Crafty, able to bounce off of defenders like a tennis ball, and has balance good enough for top level ballet.

Quick and fast at the same time, with the upside of a top-flight workhorse back.

Jason Leskiw is SFBay’s Oakland Raiders beat writer and member of the Professional Football Writers of America. Follow @SFBay and @LeskiwSFBay on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of Raiders football.