The Las Vegas Raiders are entering draft week with a few things to check off the list by next week. They have to grab a quarterback, and that's pretty obvious, but the way things are now trending, they may just take one at pick No. 13. Michael Penix was a guy who was seen to go in the second round a few months ago, but as things normally happen - he has risen up draft boards.
Now, the Raiders have their sights on him at No. 13 if they can't trade up. But if they did take him, they would still have two more needs to fill on their roster through the draft. They would still need an offensive tackle, cornerback, and a few other positions. Luckily, the draft is very deep in those positions.
As for their second-round pick, they could still get a perfect fit for their squad. Pro Football Focus put together their perfect day two fits for the AFC West, and they picked Kingsley Suamataia, a beast in the second round for the Raiders.
Here are some of his strengths and weaknesses based on our big board:
STRENGTHS
- Good straight-line athleticism at his size
- Has a full season of starting experience at both tackle spots
- Rarely gives ground to a bull-rush
- Quick hands & firm grip strength to snatch long-arms
- Adequate pocket range & balanced kick slide
- Plays with patient independent hands. Comfortable punching & replacing
- Finishes blocks on stationary LBs/DBs when he secures contact
- Adjusts blocking angles to wash out slants & clear a path for the RB
- Drives his legs & displaces 3-techs on down blocks/double teams
WEAKNESSES
- Relies on natural play strength to resist power. Never really has to "drop his anchor"
- Struggles to recover vs. late edge speed if he undersets
- Hand usage is still unrefined. Initial punch is often tentative & wide
- Very soft inside hand & delayed recovery. B-gap is easily pried open
- Gets lost picking up stunts/blitzing DBs
- Lacks zone blocking range & body control. Reach blocks are a struggle
- Poor target-location at the 2nd level. For every pancake there's a whiff in open space
- Frequently misses run blocking assignments
- Leans & over-extends into down blocks
The Raiders need an offensive tackle, and what Suamataia brings is perfect, especially for the scheme that new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy wants to run.
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