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"Everybody we spoke to about Eli said nothing but positive things," Baalke confirmed. "And that is going back to his high school coach and everybody that's worked with him at the University of Virginia. We really felt good about him." Harold will have a chance to learn the pro game from another former Wahoo — Ahmad Brooks. "His name is hung up at my university everywhere you look. His picture is everywhere" said Harold. "To have the opportunity to play with a guy that went to the same school as I did and being a seasoned veteran, it's amazing having this opportunity." The Raiders chose Valles in the sixth round of the draft with the 179th overall pick. Like Harold, he had very little contact before draft day with the team that ultimately selected him. "The only real contact was that I had a formal interview with them at the combine and got the call right before my name got announced on TV," Valles said. Valles finished 2014 with 55 tackles and broke up eight passes at or near the line of scrimmage. Though Valles was considered a project by many draft experts, Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio said in a league where a premium is placed on edge pass rushers, he was well worth the shot. "He's got some size and ability off the edge," Del Rio said while visiting with the local media during Oakland's post-draft event. "We just felt like at that point in the draft, he was somebody we were willing to take a shot on and get a good look at and give him an opportunity to come in here and compete and see if he can do something off the edge of our defense. — Greg Waters