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.
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.
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