Oakland Raiders

Raiders nab safety depth with Obi Melifonwu at 56th pick

The Oakland Raiders selected Connecticut defensive back Obi Melifonwu with the 56th overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft.

What It Means:

Melifonwu started 47 games at UConn, compiling 11 career tackles for loss with eight interceptions and two forced fumbles. Standing 6’4", 224 pounds, Obi completely devastated the Combine with a 4.40-flat forty, an electric vertical jump of 44 inches, and 11'9" broad jump. Melifonwu will likely back up aging Reggie Nelson at free safety initially, then take over as a starter opposite Karl Joseph in 2018.

Pro Football Focus charted Melifonwu with 12 touchdown passes allowed over his final three years in college. He racked up 118 total tackles in his senior season, with four interceptions and three passes defended. Oakland had the eighth-worst Adjusted Defensive Passing Net Expected Points per play allowed last year.