PHILADELPHIA -- The Oakland Raiders added one of the NFL Scouting Combine's top performers in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft Friday in UConn defensive back Obi Melifonwu.
The club took the versatile safety No. 56 overall, adding him to first-round CB Gareon Conley for a big boost to the Raiders secondary. Melifonwu (6-foot-4, 224 pounds) ran a 4.40 40-yard dash at the combine in Indianapolis, an outstanding time for a player his size. He also turned in a 44-inch vertical jump and an 11-9 broad jump. Both marks were the best of any player in Indianapolis.
NFL Network draft expert Mike Mayock said some NFL clubs regard Melifonwu as having potential at cornerback, as well.
Melifonwu's top projection in NFL.com analyst mock drafts came from Bucky Brooks, who pegged him to be selected by the Seattle Seahawks at No. 26 overall, 30 selections sooner than the Raiders landed him.
"The ultra-athletic defensive back could be groomed to replace Richard Sherman on the island or Kam Chancellor in the box," Brooks wrote of his potential fit in Seattle.
Melifonwu was a tackle machine in the Huskies defense last year, amassing 118 stops to lead the team by a wide margin. He recorded a team-high four interceptions, as well.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
