NFL Mock Draft 7.0: Round 1 of the 2018 NFL Draft

LAS VEGAS, NV - DECEMBER 16: Leighton Vander Esch #38 of the Boise State Broncos celebrates with the trophy after the Broncos defeated the Oregon Ducks in the Las Vegas Bowl at Sam Boyd Stadium on December 16, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Boise State won 38-28. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

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player. 28. . Cornerback. Ohio State. Denzel Ward. 10

After signing Rashaan Melvin to a deal, the Oakland Raiders’ defensive makeover is one step closer to being complete. An addition that would solidify the secondary, already equipped with Gareon Conley, Obi Melifonwu, and Reggie Nelson, is the input of a solid slot cornerback.

Denzel Ward, the next NFL cornerback to emerge from the Ohio State pipeline, projects well in this role. He is somewhat undersized at 5-foot-10, but he has very good agility in tight spaces, and his foot movement is very fluid.

Ward can easily start right away, and with the Oakland Raiders, he could immediately slide in as a near-elite slot cornerback. Some may say that this is too early to pick a slot cornerback, but if he’s the missing piece, and if he can turn a mediocre secondary into a good one, then he’s very worth the pick. Hence, the NFL Draft relinquishes Denzel Ward to the Raiders.

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