The Las Vegas Raiders need upgrades in pretty much every position group on defense. Thus, there are different paths they can take in the 2021 NFL Draft. Pro Football Focus sees them using the 17th overall selection on a safety.
Trevon Moehrig could give the Raiders’ secondary a boost
Anthony Treash of PFF projects in his most recent mock this Las Vegas team will make TCU safety Trevon Moehrig a first-round pick. He believes the Jim Thorpe Award nod could solidify their secondary once for all. Treash adds Moehrig’s physical attributes should make him the top safety in this draft class.
The TCU standout logged six interceptions, 20 passes defensed and two forced fumbles in the last two seasons and displayed the flexibility to play in the box, the slot, and at free safety. Moreover, he earned a 74.5 PFF overall grade in 2020, when he registered 47 total tackles, two interceptions, and nine pass breakups.
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Does the pick make sense?
The Raiders’ defense ranked near the bottom of every meaningful category. While they could target a defensive end, such as Gregory Rousseau of Miami, a playmaking safety would be a welcome addition to a unit that allowed 478 points in 2020, good for 30th in the NFL.
Johnathan Abram has the tools to thrive in the NFL. However, he sometimes looks more interested in making a big play than stopping opposing offenses. In Abram’s defense, he should play closer to the line of scrimmage, where he can use maximize his physical prowess, and adding Moehrig would allow Las Vegas to do so.
The Raiders’ 2020 draft class hasn’t borne many fruits, but even though it’s too early to call it a flop, they need to get reinforcements. The Raiders are currently in the red and may not be active spenders in free agency. Therefore, they need to get most of 2021’s selections right, and they can’t do wrong with Moehrig.
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