Last year, Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock struck gold in the mid-rounds, and he hopes to do so again. The Silver and Black currently have five picks in rounds three to five, and look to potentially add more on draft day.
Here are the Raiders best fits in the middle rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft
Reggie Robinson, CB, Tulsa
Robinson is the prototype of what defensive coordinator Paul Guenther looks for in a corner. He has the size to play outside in the NFL, and excels at press coverage. He fits what the Raiders did in 2019, with work ethic and an alpha attitude, I expect the Raiders to be very high on him.
Pros- Work ethic, physicality and size
Cons- technique
Alex Highsmith, Edge, Charlotte
The Raiders struck jackpot with small school prospect defensive end Maxx Crosby last year. Mayock may look to do it again with Highsmith, who has a high motor and can play standing up or with his hands in the dirt. He lacks technique, but with defensive line coach Rod Marinelli on deck, Highsmith could become a great rotational guy for the Raiders and boost an already improved unit.
Pros- Motor
Cons- Length, Technique
Related: Raider Ramble’s Top 16 EDGE prospects
Lynn Bowden Jr., WR, Kentucky
If you have time, put on the Lynn Bowden Jr. highlight tape. The dual-threat quarterback from the University of Kentucky, projects as a wide receiver/kick returner in the NFL. His position switch to quarterback took away his wide receiver reps in 2019, which I think has hurt his draft stock. He’s an explosive playmaker, with incredible vision when he has the the ball in his hands. If a team wants speed at the position, and misses on Ruggs, Bowden isn’t a bad consolation prize.
Pros- Explosiveness, athleticism, burst
Cons- Strength, ball security, route-running
Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota
I can’t for the life of me figure out why Johnson is getting mid-round buzz right now. If the Raiders decide to skip on a wide receiver in round one, Johnson is an amazing value in rounds three or four. He has great high point skills, and size to make him an immediate red zone target. Over the past two seasons at Minnesota, he posted over 2,400 yards and 25 touchdowns.
McTelvin Agim, DT, Arkansas
Agim is a prospect that has flown under the radar to most. He posted the ninth best pass-rush grade per PFF for all interior lineman in 2019. However, he isn’t getting the buzz in this defensive tackle class. He’s a day 3 player that could contribute right away in Mayock’s wheel house. Adding Agim to a rotation that will Maliek Collins would create a great competition for Hall and Hurst. Agim, is a 310 lb man that ran under 5.0 at the NFL Scouting Combine and I expect Maranelli to actively vouch for him.
Geno Stone, S, Iowa
Over the past month, Stones draft stock has risen a bit. He is great in coverage, posting 84.5 grades in back to back years on PFF. On the other hand, he lacks physicality for the NFL level, which is the main reason for his mid-round draft stock. Adding a young prospect to the safety room is necessary, especially in a division with Hunter Henry, Travis Kelce, and Noah Fant.
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