In the final hours before the draft starts, there is still some uncertainty about what the five teams picking ahead of the Raiders will do. But whatever happens, it does seem like general manager John Spytek and coach Pete Carroll might be facing a tough choice at No. 6.

Running back Ashton Jeanty was the popular pick in mock drafts earlier in the week, but we have been dropping hints about the Raiders’ interest in Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. for a while now, and it’s strong. If the Jaguars pass on Jeanty at No. 5 — or trade out of the spot — there is a chance that the Raiders might even take the lineman over Jeanty.

Jeanty is seen as a can’t-miss running back prospect — there are even comps to LaDainian Tomlinson — and he checks all the character and leadership boxes that Carroll speaks of often. But it is an especially deep running back draft class, and by passing on him the Raiders would seemingly take advantage of there being six or seven potential starters on the board.

Fans may be surprised at Banks being the guy over Missouri’s Armand Membou, but teams around the league seemingly have those two and LSU’s Will Campbell ranked very closely together, and the 6-foot-5, 315-pound Banks may be the best run blocker of the three. He could compete with DJ Glaze for the right tackle spot or start at guard while being groomed to eventually replace Kolton Miller at left tackle. Miller is entering the last year of his contract and is looking for a new deal (he is not participating in the voluntary offseason program but is in the team facility most days working out).

Banks comes with strong recommendations from Texas coach Steve Sarkisian, once a young protege for Carroll at USC.

And while Christian Wilkins (foot) was back in a boot a month ago after missing the final 12 games last season, the concern is not believed to be that high that the Raiders have to take a defensive tackle early in the draft. We’ll get a better idea after the first two days of the draft, though.