Red Raiders in the NFL - Week 7

Danny Amendola- WR, New England Patriots

The receiving core as a whole didn't play too well for Tom Brady against the Amaro-less New York Jets this week, catching 34 balls on 54 targets. However good ole Danny boy went 8 for 9 for 86 yards, including the go ahead touchdown with 7 minutes left in the game on this bullet from Tom Brady and a fantastic leaping catch on the ensuing drive. Amendola ended the day with 86 yards and 1 score, maintaining his place as a key piece in the Patriots air attack.

Michael Crabtree - WR, Oakland Raiders

The Raiders passing attack has been getting more potent as the season has progressed. Rookie Amari Cooper and Crabtree accounted for almost 200 yards, with 11 catches on only 14 targets. Crabtree himself went 6 for 8 for 63 yards and 1 score, which was a gorgeous play that looks like vintage King Crab. Crabtree now has 6 receptions of over 20 yards this year, proving his low production year in San Fran was the anomaly, not his good years there. Look for Mike to continue complementing Cooper, and giving young passer Derek Carr a consistent player to throw to.

NFL Prospects

Even though it still feels the season is young, with only 4 games left for tech, and senior day 2 weeks away, the mock drafts have started to come out. CBS Sports has 6 current Red Raiders listed on their board of potential picks, and some tidbits about how the "experts" see them panning out in the NFL

Le'Raven Clark, OT

Le'Raven is projected to go in the 3rd or 4th round, ranked 126th overall, and the 12th overall OT.

In Texas Tech's offense, he lines up primarily in two-point stance and is asked to retreat off the snap, which creates some technique issues in his transition to the NFL. But he sets up quickly and has the wide base to engulf rushers, using patience and quickness in his stance to counter in pass protection.

Clark has a bad habit of playing too upright and prefers to catch rushers, but his foot quickness and instincts are a solid foundation, whether he stays at tackle or returns to guard in the NFL.

Pete Robertson, OLB

Pete is currently projected to go in the 7th round, ranked the 249th best player in the draft, and 21st among OLB's.

A relentless edge rusher, Robertson plays the "bandit" hybrid position, using his quick feet to sidestep rushers and manipulate space. He can be rigid in his movements and lacks ideal fluidity to explode in short areas, but he has strong hands and uses his length to corral ball-carriers. He hides his straight-linish athleticism well because of his nonstop effort and range.

Texas Tech isn't known for producing NFL-quality defensive prospects, but Robertson is an intriguing player. He achieved the trifecta as a junior, leading the Red Raiders in tackles (81), tackles for loss (14.5) and sacks (12), also finishing with a team-best three forced fumbles.

DeAndre Washington, RB

The rest of the Red Raiders in this list are not projected to be draftedat this point, but possibly picked up as free agents. Tech players seem to have luck as undrafted free agents, and DeAndre is no different. He is ranked 484th overall, and 38th among running backs.

He isn't the fastest player on the field, but Washington does have some suddenness to him with easy acceleration out of his breaks to quickly burst to top speed. Although not a power runner who will routinely work off contact between the tackles, he sees the field well and does his best work when he can make defenders miss in space.

The rest of the players listed do not have profiles, but are still ranked in the top 1000. Personally, I feel Jakeem is ranked too low, as some have compared him to a Darren Sproles-type player. We will keep you informed through the season and offseason as the 2016 draft approaches on how your Red Raiders are doing in draft analysis.