The Las Vegas Raiders will need to reload their defense if they hope to make a splash in their first year out in the desert oasis. This mock scenario would certainly go a long way to making that happening.
Now keep in mind, I’m aware wide receiver is a pressing need so I have no doubt general Mike Mayock will do his homework and add one at some point in this draft. In spite of that, we’ll assume that the Raiders are also going to land a receiver via free agency, which makes this scenario very plausible.
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Let’s take a look at this mock and be sure to let us know your thoughts in the comment section, Raider Nation.
#12 Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama
If Diggs is available at number 12, the Raiders have to bite and take him. Cornerback is still a need (when hasn’t it been?) and he checks off a lot of what Mayock is looking for. He has NFL pedigree, being the younger brother of current Vikings Stefon Diggs. He also has championship pedigree coming from Nick Saban’s program at Alabama and we all know how much Mayock values that, just ask all the Clemson Tigers on his roster.
The stats for Diggs are not eye-opening by any means. However, he’s a physical specimen standing at six-foot-two with a large frame and reach to boot. Patrick Conn of Draft Wire said it best when it comes to Diggs:
Diggs show the ability to use his length at the line of scrimmage in hopes of throwing off timing and re-routing the wide receiver. He uses his length to his advantage to contest catches with good back to the ball technique. Very good corner when playing in trail technique and has speed to close.
Diggs would fit right in with a young defense backfield featuring second year backs Trayvon Mullen and Johnathan Abram.
#19 Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma
Will this be the year the Raiders finally answer the prayers of fans worldwide and take a linebacker in the first round?
Murray, out of Oklahoma, would immediately address one of the most glaring weaknesses the Raiders continue to have: covering tight ends. Linebackers continuously get burned by the likes of Travis Kelce and this needs to stop. He has the frame at six-foot-two and 235 pounds, and a tackling machine piling up 176 solo tackles with 36.5 for a loss, sprinkling in nine and a half sacks.
In one false swoop, Mayock retools this defense and addresses two of its most dire needs.
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