Raiders take the safe route in pre-Combine mock

With the NFL Combine quickly approaching, the Raider Ramble decided to throw together a mock for all 32 first round picks. Like any mock, there will be changes as we get closer to the draft. For now, let’s take a look at what we think the Las Vegas Raiders and the rest of the NFL will do with their picks.

Let us know what you think in the comment section.

Here’s our previous mock (before some prospects went back to school).

1st Round Picks

1. Cincinnati Bengals- QB Joe Burrow, LSU. No way the Bengals draft anyone else unless some ridiculous package (like Miami’s three first-round picks) is in the mix.
2. Washington Redskins- DE/OLB Chase Young, Ohio State. Yes, another easy pick as Young will remind many of a young Von Miller.
3. Detroit Lions- CB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State. This is a spot teams may be interested in trading up to in order to get in front of the Dolphins to take Tua Tagovailoa. If not, expect some secondary help for the league’s worst passing defense.
4. New York Giants- OT Jedrick Willis, Alabama. The Giants took Daniel Jones with the sixth overall pick last draft. Protecting him and opening more holes for running back Saquon Barkley has to be a priority.
5. Miami Dolphins- QB Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama. With Ryan Fitzpatrick still on the roster in 2020, Tagovailoa can let his body heal and redshirt bwhind the veteran.
6. Los Angeles Chargers- QB Justin Herbert, Oregon. The Phillip Rivers era has come to an end. Herbert will have time to sit and learn as the Chargers have Tyrod Taylor under contract next season.
7. Carolina Panthers- WR Jerry Jeudy, Alabama. Whomever plays quarterback for the Panthers can have Christian McCaffrey at running back and throw passes to Curtis Samuel, D.J. Moore and Jeudy.
8. Arizona Cardinals- OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa. With DJ Humphries and Marcus Gilbert (Torn ACL in 2019) scheduled to hit free agency, drafting an offensive tackle is a must.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars- DE AJ Epenesa, Iowa. The Jags may cut Calais Campbell, Marcell Dareus and A.J. Bouye. Epenesa would replace Campbell and/or possibly, the departing Yannick Ngakoue.
10. Cleveland Browns- LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson. Simmons is a defensive weapon that can do it all, drop in coverage or rush the passer.
11. New York Jets- OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville. Le’Veon Bell’s talents weren’t maximized last year and Sam Darnold needs to continue his development. Getting Becton helps him and the offense as a whole.
12. Las Vegas Raiders- WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma. The Raiders would love to have someone like Simmons to have drop here, but “settling for the magician” is quite a prize. Raiders quarterback Derek Carr will have no excuses to produce with weapons like Lamb, tight end Darren Waller, wide receivers Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow as well as running back Josh Jacobs.
13. Indianapolis Colts- QB Jordan Love, Utah State. The Colts have a quarterback situation similar to the one the Chargers and Dolphins have. Love is raw but has intriguing tools. Boom or bust pick.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Safety Xavier McKinney, Alabama. The Bucs had the best rushing defense in the league in 2019. The problem? They ranked 30th in passing defense as well. McKinney should help the secondary immediately.
15. Denver Broncos- OT Josh Jones, Houston. John Elway might have finally found a franchise signal-caller in Drew Lock. Protecting him becomes as a priority now.
16. Atlanta Falcons- DT Derrick Brown, Auburn. The Falcons get a steal here. Brown will finally help take some heat off of Grady Jarrett.
17. Dallas Cowboys- DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina. Even with all the big pending free agents the Cowboys have, defensive tackle is one of their biggest needs. Kinlaw is a big man who can move and create havoc on the inside.
18. Miami Dolphins- Safety Grant Delpit, LSU. The Dolphins take a safety to replace the one they traded last year. This pick was acquired through the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade to Pittsburgh.
19. Las Vegas Raiders- LB Zach Baun, Wisconsin. Baun is a linebacker that can provide both get to the quarterback and is athletic in pass coverage. You can never have enough pass rushers and the Raiders linebackers have a hard time covering anybody.
20. Jacksonville Jaguars- CB CJ Henderson, Florida. The Jags use the pick they acquired for Jalen Ramsey to select another cornerback. Henderson may not be as talented as Ramsey but he can be a solid corner with some ball skills.
21. Philadelphia Eagles- WR Laviska Shenault, Colorado. The Eagles address a weakness. Desean Jackson isn’t getting any younger and Ashlon Jeffrey is always hurt.
22. Buffalo Bills- WR Tee Higgins, Clemson. John Brown was the go to go in 2019 and Cole Beasley is a nice complementary receiver. Higgins brings a big target with good hands to QB Josh Allen.
23. New England Patriots- OT Trey Adams, Washington. The Patriots need to get better in the trenches. They weren’t very good on offense last year.
24. New Orleans Saints- WR Henry Ruggs. Jacob Eason may be in play here but I believe the Saints get someone to take some heat off Michael Thomas.
25. Minnesota Vikings- DE, Yetur Gross Matos, Penn State. Everson Griffen may be a salary cap casualty. In Gross-Matos, the Vikings get younger on the edge.
26. Miami Dolphins- LB Terrell Lewis, Alabama. The Dolphins need help everywhere. He has had some injuries but creating pressure is something Lewis can provide.
27. Seattle Seahawks- CB Kristian Fulton, LSU. Fulton is a talented corner that has had issues in the past. Still, talent trumps those issues as Fulton is a steal here.
28. Baltimore Ravens- LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma. The Ravens lost C.J. Mosley and never really replaced him. Murray has great speed to go sideline to sideline.
29. Tennessee Titans- CB Trevon Diggs, Alabama. Running back may be route the Titans take here but adding a corner like Diggs at this point of the draft is a dream.
30. Green Bay Packers- LB Patrick Queen, LSU. Queen is a bit undersized but has plenty of big game experience to help a much improved defense. Jalen Reagor or Brandon Aiyuk may also be looked at here.
31. San Francisco- CB Bryce Hall, Virginia. Everyone seems to have forgotten the talented Hall. Richard Sherman is not getting any younger.
32. Kansas City Chiefs- RB, D’Andre Swift, Georgia. The Chiefs have their pick of the litter and take the first running back off the board. Sure J.K. Dobbins and Jonathan Taylor are tempting here, but Swift can do it all.

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