The Las Vegas Raiders are a bad group defensively with one of the biggest weak spots being safety. This was obvious Saturday night. In that game, Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was able to easily bomb the ball down the sideline to put his team in position to win the game. That’s why targeting safety Bubba Bolden in 2021’s draft may be in their best interest.
The Raiders need someone in the back end
Who was the safety on the side of the field when that throw happened? Former fourth-rounder and back up corner Isaiah Johnson. For a team that is looking to contend in the near future, they can not be playing young players out of position on the biggest plays of the game. This is why it makes sense for the Raiders to target Bolden.
Bolden originally committed to USC and eventually transferred to Miami. He was born and played high school football in Las Vegas, so he’ll likely welcome a return home. From the Silver and Black’s standpoint, they need a playmaker at safety very badly.
Bubba Bolden can be an asset in pass coverage
Johnathan Abram hasn’t performed the way the Raiders surely expected when they drafted him in 2019. He hasn’t played at a high level in the back end and has had far too many lapses in coverage. Bolden, is an impressive tackler who hits just as hard but is better at playing under control and is more effective at playing deep zone as a “true” free safety.
One of the most exciting parts of Bolden is that he is still learning the position. He was recruited to USC as a cornerback before eventually switching to back end responsibilities. At 6-foot-3 and 201 pounds, the Raiders should be excited about the flashes he has already shown as he grows into this new position and should take a long look into forming a hard-hitting young duo between him and Johnathan Abram.
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