Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: S Kitan Oladapo, Oregon St

Originally posted on FanNation Raider Maven
By Carter Landis | Last updated 1/20/24

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking to add young talent in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Now that Antonio Pierce is officially the full-time head coach, the Raiders can find players who fit the team’s newly established culture. The Raiders are looking for tough, relentless players who want to win at the highest level.

That could be Oregon State safety Kitan Oladapo, who played with that kind of tenacity under Defensive Coordinator Trent Bray. Oladapo may be one of the most aggressive tacklers in the draft class.

Oladapo recently declared for the draft and punched his ticket to Mobile, Ala., for the Senior Bowl in February. The Senior Bowl is an incredible opportunity for players to compete against the best players in the class and meet face-to-face with NFL coaches.

The former Beaver concluded his career with 249 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, six and a half sacks, two forced fumbles, 23 passes defended, and three interceptions. He was named Second-Team All-Pac 12 in 2023.

Oladapo stands at 6-foot-3 and weighs 217 pounds, giving him the ideal size to play both safety and linebacker at the next level. If the Raiders select him, he would fit the mold of linebackers they have previously selected who have transitioned from defensive back to linebacker in Divine Deablo and Amari Burney, who have played both positions throughout their football careers.

Oladapo is a tackling machine. He posted three games of 10 or more tackles in 2023, including a 12-tackle performance against Cal. He is not afraid to get physical, using his stature to knock ball carriers off balance.

He is also an impressive coverage player as well. According to Pro Football Focus, Oladapo was targeted 36 times and allowed just 21 receptions for 212 yards and only one touchdown. He lined up mainly as a box safety for the Beavers last season but also played in the slot and free safety.

Oladapo projects as a box safety at the next level, similar to how the Seattle Seahawks use Jamal Adams. While he is well-built, he moves poorly laterally, which could limit his man coverage skills in the NFL.

Oladapo should be selected in the early rounds of the draft, and if the Raiders want to prioritize physicality and versatility in their secondary, he could be a prime option.

From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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This article first appeared on FanNation Raider Maven and was syndicated with permission.

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