Perfect Picks: Las Vegas Raiders
With the NFL Draft approaching we will be looking at each team and evaluating where they need to improve. In this particular series we will run a seven round mock using the Pro Football Network Mock Draft Simulator and find the ‘Perfect Picks’ for each franchise.
We will highlight four players that could help each team. This will feature picks 1 and 2, a mid round gem and a late round sleeper.
Round 1 - Kaiir Elam, Cornerback, Florida
The Raiders roster rebuild went off track in spectacular fashion and one of the positions to suffer was cornerback. They have invested numerous high draft picks in the secondary and the likes of Damon Arnette and Gareon Conley have failed to provide answers. Casey Hayward is a free agent and Brandon Facyson was routinely picked on. Kaiir Elam has gone under the radar a bit due to bigger names taking precedent but he is a lockdown corner who the Raiders could pair with Trayvon Mullen to get things back on track.
Round 2 - Jahan Dotson, Wide Receiver, Penn State
The Henry Ruggs situation cast a dark shadow over the Raiders 2021 season. Losing Ruggs took the speed aspect out of this group and they need to find an answer. Bryan Edwards can be a physical and reliable threat while Hunter Renfrow has developed into one of the league’s better slot receivers. Dotson doesn’t have the sub 4.3 speed but is plenty quick enough and has the body control and catch ability to go higher than this spot.
Mid Round Gem - Logan Hall, Defensive Tackle, Houston
Logan Hall has the potential to be one of the most versatile and destructive defensive lineman in this draft. The problem is at 6’6 and 260lbs he doesn’t fit snugly into one box. He took most of his college snaps attacking the B gap but also saw time off the edge. Ultimately I would use him as an explosive 3-tech to break down the pocket from the middle. Having him line up next to Maxx Crosby would be a mouthwatering combo.
Late Round Sleeper - Abram Smith, Running Back, Baylor
The cupboard is a bit bare for the Raiders at running back outside of workhorse Josh Jacobs. In particular they would benefit from having a more physical option to take blows in the backfield. Smith epitomises that considering he lined up as a linebacker in 2020. Returning to running back last year he accounted for 1,601 yards at 6.2 yards per carry for Baylor. It would certainly ease the burden on Jacobs and keep him fresh to rip off the big gains.
Draft In Full
22. Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
53. Jahan Dotson, WR, Penn State
86. Logan Hall, DT, Houston
123. Max Mitchell, OT, Louisiana
163. DeAngelo Malone, EDGE, Western Kentucky
164. Ellis Brooks, LB, Penn State
217. Abram Smith, RB, Baylor
226. Emeka Emezie, WR, NC State
