The consensus amongst fans is that the Las Vegas Raiders should draft a wide receiver early, preferably with the No. 12 pick. One scenario could certainly throw a monkey wrench in the mix, one involving Isaiah Simmons.
The Raiders find themselves in an excellent opportunity to alter the fortunes of their franchise. A true number one wide receiver would go a long way towards elevating head coach Jon Gruden’s offense in the team’s first season in Vegas. A cornerback early in the first round could give them an instant starter to shore up the defensive backfield for coordinator Paul Guenther.
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However, what if general manager Mike Mayock could add a generational player such as Simmons instead of a wide receiver? Yes, the linebackers are in great shape now thanks to some brilliant work this past free agency, yet, Simmons is so much more than just a linebacker.
The Raiders can still shore up the wide receiver group after the first round, that’s the benefit of this being one of the deepest classes in recent years. As for Simmons, it was Benjamin Solak of the Draft Network who dug deeper at how this could play out in favor of the Silver and Black.
The Top Ten
According to Solak, this is how he sees the top ten playing out in a few days:
- Cincinnati: Joe Burrow
- Washington: Chase Young
- Detroit: Jeff Okudah
- New York: Could be Simmons
- Miami: Justin Herbert or Tua Tagovailoa
- Los Angeles: Tagovailoa or Herbert
- Carolina: Could be Simmons
- Arizona: an Offensive Tackle, Brown or Javon Kinlaw
- Jacksonville: Brown or Henderson
- Cleveland: Offensive Tackle
If this indeed is how the draft shapes up, what about the No. 11 pick? Would the Jets pass up on Simmons? Would the Raiders trade up a pick to get their man? While Solak did say Simmons is a “positionless hybrid,” you can’t deny the talent and what he could do for the Raiders, no one’s saying he’ll be Khalil Mack 2.0, but he’d be something special for the Raiders if this scenario does indeed play out on draft night.
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