Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports

Las Vegas Raiders were in attendance for Illinois defensive tackle Johnny Newton's pro day

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Justin Churchill | Last updated 4/17/24

The Las Vegas Raiders have so many options and different roads they could take at pick No. 13. They can go get the quarterback they so desperately need, or they could go with a cornerback, offensive tackle, or any other position if the fit is right.

Most people, including myself, think the Raiders are going to try to draft Michael Penix in the first round. If they cannot trade up, that would be the smart thing to do. However, there is also a possibility that Penix goes before pick No. 13.

If that were to happen, the Raiders need a backup plan. I have done mock drafts with the Raiders drafting a cornerback, like a guy in Terrion Arnold. However, their recent news would suggest they aren't ruling anything out when it comes to what position they take.

According to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, the Raiders were in attendance at Johnny Newton's pro day at Illinois, where the likely first-round defensive tackle was showing off his play.

Illinois DT Johnny Newton, a projected 1st-round pick, just wrapped up an impressive Pro Day — showcasing elite explosion and power after a Jones fracture that he’s fully healed from.

I’m told the following teams were in attendance, among others:

Bills
Cowboys
49ers
Jets… pic.twitter.com/ggMIiIBkub
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 16, 2024

Here are some of Newton's strengths and weaknesses from our big board:

STRENGTHS

Twitch, speed, & explosiveness to threaten blockers in every direction
Extremely productive pass rusher, despite being the central focus of opponents' game plans
Pass rushing technician with a full moveset at his disposal
Wins routinely with a cross-chop, swipe, club-swim, & bull-rush
Converts 1st step & natural leverage into a devastating power rush
Quickly transitions to secondary moves when his first move fails
Has the hand-pop to gain immediate control of single blocks
Maximizes length with quality stack-shed & quick disengagement
Flows with stretch plays like a linebacker
Backdoors reach blocks & close in on the ballcarrier

WEAKNESSES

Very short arms for a defensive tackle
Struggles to free himself when blockers land their punch
Legs can die out at the top of the rush
Small frame, can get covered up by reach blocks
Misses too many tackles in the backfield. 12 missed tackles in 2023
Jones fracture required surgery in 2024

The Raiders just signed Christian Wilkins this offseason, who is one of the best defensive tackles in the league, if not the second best, right behind Chris Jones on the Kansas City Chiefs. So, I think that if the Raiders do take a defensive tackle, I think it will be on day three. However, if they built a defensive line of Maxx Crosby, Wilkins, Tyree Wilson, and Newton, it would be one of the best, if not the best, in the entire league.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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