The Las Vegas Raiders need to hit on multiple aspects of the draft. Without a doubt, the 2023 NFL Draft becomes ultimately important.
If you watched the Las Vegas Raiders play over the past decade or so, even further back, you can see the problems. For all of the history and lore, the team lacks so much in terms of sustained draft competence. As a result, the organization continues to spiral down. While the Raiders occasionally hover around competence, the recent incarnation diminishes the legacy. With the Senior/Shrine Bowls in the books, we can look forward to this mock draft.
Trade
The Raiders, realizing that the top three quarterbacks vanished from the draft board, they decided to try something. So, the Raiders sent the thirty-eight and seventieth picks along with their 2024 third-rounder to Seattle. In return, the Seahawks allowed Vegas to trade back into the first via the twentieth pick.
7th Overall (Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois)
While Witherspoon may not come from a traditional power, that does not diminish his ability. First, the Illinois product displays the ability to not only stay with outside wideouts, he consistently flashes the lateral movement to hang with the quicker ones. In all candor, what current Las Vegas cornerback can say the same?
20th Overall (Tanner McKee, QB, Stanford)
The Raiders will either release or trade their former starting quarterback. As a result, a void exists. To fill it McKee makes sense at the twentieth overall. He will not cost high draft capital. Moreover, McKee’s skill set is the ability to move the pocket. Not to mention, he possesses a knack for accuracy at all three levels of the field. Vegas finally lands a quarterback of their own.
109th Overall (Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan)
After a year where the Raiders spent free agent money and draft picks, they still find themselves needing interior disruption. Despite Smith’s enormous frame, he can win with a burst. More importantly, he can easily slide into a rotational role that fits with what Patrick Graham hopes to accomplish.
143rd Overall (Riley Moss, DB, Iowa)
Right now, the defense lacks not only depth but playmakers in the secondary. Few ballhawks or big hitters patrol the back half. In Moss, Patrick Graham could see a versatile player, capable of lining up at both corner and safety. Moss displays the willingness to hit but also the nimble feet and long speed to play corner.
174th Overall (D.J. Johnson, LB/EDGE, Oregon)
Outside of Maxx Crosby and that one game of Chandler Jones, name another edge player that succeeded in 2022 for this team. On the positive side, Johnson’s ability to win with a hellacious first step and flexibility will give the Raiders insurance in case of injury. Furthermore, that sixth-round selection will not break the bank. The team, especially the defense sorely needs an infusion of athleticism.
184th Overall (Joe Tippmann, OL, Wisconsin)
Dylan Parham secured a starting spot. to pressure Now, the question of where arises. Parham looks like the center of the future. If this is the case, the Raiders need another guard in the rotation. Tippmann provides decent mobility and powerful hands that many of the veterans back up lack. Plus, if Parham sticks at guard, Tippmann can kick over to center.
214th Overall (Justin Shorter, WR, Florida)
The Raiders do not pay Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow to keep running vertical routes into the teeth of a defense. By the same token, they need someone to pressure defenses/ With Shorter’s side, he can bully smaller defensive backs for position, presenting a throwing window. Additionally, the Raiders need upgrades at the backend of the receiver group.
226th Overall (Carlton Martial, LB, Troy)
The most prolific tackler in FBS history. More importantly, Martial could serve a few purposes. Granted, no one expects a starter with a pick this low. Yet, Martial’s tackling, especially on special teams would pay immediate dividends. On top of that, Martial’s instincts could see the field in sub-packages. All of that aside, Martial has what many people call the dawg in him. He’s not the biggest/fastest/strongest, but he will fight for every inch on that field. That type of competitiveness is what the Raiders sorely lacked for years.
More must-reads: