The Las Vegas Raiders are focusing on the future, evaluating prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Raiders hold the No. 13 overall selection and could go in several different directions with that pick. While they missed the postseason in 2023, the Raiders could be just a few pieces away from being a playoff team, pieces they may find in this draft class.
The Raiders were excellent on defense in the second half of the season but could continue to add talent to that side of the ball throughout the draft. There is no such thing as having too much talent, especially defensively, when the Raiders face multiple good offenses in 2024.
One player who they may not consider at No. 13 but could consider on day three of the draft is Wake Forest safety Malik Mustapha. After transferring from Richmond, Mustapha finished his Demon Deacons career with 175 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, four forced fumbles, four sacks, seven passes defended, and three interceptions.
Mustapha is one of the most athletic defensive backs in this draft class. He made The Athletic writer Bruce Feldman’s ‘Freaks List’, a list Feldman compiles of college football players with extraordinary athleticism. He will be at the Senior Bowl in February, getting the chance to showcase his talents with the best players in the draft.
Mustapha is incredibly fast and can jump incredibly high. He causes problems for receivers in press-man coverage because of his physicality and athletic abilities. He is viewed as a fifth-round selection right now but could improve his stock if he tests well at the NFL Scouting Combine next month.
Mustapha’s speed allows him to play the run incredibly well. He can fly downfield and, because of his small stature, can sneak through blocks to hit ball carriers. He has a high motor and is always playing at a high level of intensity.
While he has great athleticism, Mustapha is a bit raw from a technical standpoint. He will need to refine his footwork if he wants to be selected higher in the draft.
The Raiders could always use more athleticism in their secondary, and that’s where Mustapha could come in. He also has special teams upside, which could make him even more appealing to Las Vegas.
If the Raiders want to add speed and ball skills to their secondary, Mustapha could be a perfect fit.
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