Las Vegas Raiders

Mel Kiper has the Raiders grabbing a tackle at No. 14 overall

Published Jan. 14, 2016 11:54 p.m. ET

foxsports

Mel Kiper Jr. thinks the Oakland Raiders ought to beef protection for franchise quarterback Derek Carr.

So, the famous draftnik has slotted an even beefier tackle prospect to the team at No. 14 overall in his first mock draft: Michigan State's Jack Conklin.

Kiper, via ESPN:

"The Raiders have their quarterback of the future, but they could also lose a pair of tackles in free agency, and even then they'd be wise to get some immediate insurance out of the draft. Conklin has been a steady force on the MSU line for three years and is great at limiting pressure and also getting after it in the run game."

Those words might prove prophetic come draft season. The Silver and Black could lose 32-year-old starting left tackle Donald Penn to free agency this spring. Conklin provides an option for the future.

The 6-foot-6, 326-pound ex-Spartan went from walk-on to top pro prospect in four seasons in East Lansing, Mich. He'd immediately add a run-blocking element to Oakland's line.