Following a free agency that included big-name additions and the loss of fan favorites, the Raiders are faced with the always important NFL Draft. As is usually the case, most of the Raiders’ holes lie on defense. While offensive tackle will be addressed, expect most of the attention to be on the other side of the ball.
Note: This mock was made using The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Simulator. It is a reflection of the players Jason would select, not a prediction of who the Raiders would take.Â
Who are the Raiders taking in this mock draft?
Round 1, Pick 17: Safety Trevon Moehrig TCU
Even with the return of Karl Joseph, the Raiders badly need another safety. While Johnathan Abram is a big name and former first-rounder, he does not give them what they need in coverage. Enter Trevon Moehrig, a true center fielder and ball-hawking free safety. The Raiders’ defense badly needs a player with his ability.
Round 2 Pick 48: Offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
By going safety in round one, the Raiders are forced to select a tackle with their next selection. While the goal was Liam Eichenberg here, Alex Leatherwood is a good consolation prize. A player with shorter arms, Leatherwood will need to have great technique as a pass protector. He already excels as a run blocker and one of the most consistent offensive tackle prospects in the draft.
Round 3, Pick 79: EDGE defender Quincy Roche, Miami (FL)
An undersized pass rusher, Quincy Roche brings tremendous technical ability. A very smart player who will excel in the NFL based on his smarts and effort. Gus Bradley’s defense needs more pass rushers and the Miami standout fits the bill.
Round 3, Pick 80: Safety Hamsah Nasirildeen, Florida State
A true chess piece player, Hamsah Nasirildeen brings versatility that all coaches love. While he may only be a sub-package player initially, he gives the defense a lot of flexibility. Played safety, slot corner, and linebacker while at FSU.
Round 4, Pick 121: Cornerback Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina
A long cornerback prospect who compares favorably to a Gus Bradley disciple in Brandon Browner. Both players are huge and have a tendency to get grabby due to their lack of athleticism. Bradley will have to coach him up, but this is a low-key good selection.
Round 5, Pick 162: WR/RB Demetric Felton, UCLA
A running back at UCLA, Demetric Felton dominated the Senior Bowl as a slot wide receiver. Another pick aimed at adding versatility, he can also return kicks at a high level. A selection that recalls the memory of Lynn Bowden Jr., this one comes with a less hefty price tag.
Round 5, Pick 167: Cornerback Thomas Graham Jr., Oregon
A 2020 opt-out, Graham is a corner with incredible ball skills. With eight interceptions in threes seasons, the Raiders could use his playmaking prowess. While he will have to make his money on special teams at first, there are tools here.
Round 6, Pick 200: Wide receiver Cornell Powell, Clemson
The annual Clemson selection for the Raiders is a steal at this spot. A perfect replacement for Nelson Agholor, Powell could easily become a favorite of Derek Carr. Expect him to be selected much higher than this in the real draft.
Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock badly need speed, versatility, and playmaking on defense and they get it here. Along with some more speed on offense, the Raiders get a major influx of talent while staying true to themselves.
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TOP PHOTO: AJ Mast/Associated PressÂ
I’m not sure the Raiders are maximizing value with Moehrig – probably could trade down and get him at the end of the first.
Leatherwood probably isn’t going to be available at 48, but there are other quality tackles that would be acceptable at that slot, so it’s a reasonable position pick.
In the third, Roche and Nasirildeen might be OK picks, but the third is probably the last round where it’s reasonable to pencil in a starter. But neither of these guys is likely to start. And the Raiders still have major unaddressed needs at guard and cornerback. It might make more sense to try to grab someone like Quinn Meinerz or Aaron Banks in 3, to be available if either of the guards struggle or go down with an injury. Which is pretty likely given one starting guard will be 38 coming off an Achilles injury, and the other one hopes to one day achieve mediocrity. Or maybe a cornerback like Paulson Adebo or Robert Rochelle who can push the underperforming cornerback corps.
I do think the Graham pick in the fifth was very good, and Powell is a good flier in the 6th, but overall if the Raiders picked these players I would be unimpressed
I think Tackle needs to be prioritized. No more Wide Receivers or Running Backs right now. Develop what is on the roster. There are enough. Especially considering there is another quality pass catching Tight End aside from Waller, and we got another quality running back in Free Agency. We got two more quality Receivers in Free Agency as well.
Terrible draft 2 S 2 CB ??
Why is it that whenever I see a Raiders mock, if I read between the lines, the commentary is always “this player sucks but the Raiders should draft him anyway.”
Leatherwood: “A player with shorter arms, Leatherwood will need to have great technique as a pass protector.”
Nasirildeen: “While he may only be a sub-package player initially, he gives the defense a lot of flexibility.”
Mukuamu: “a tendency to get grabby due to [his] lack of athleticism.”
Powell: “Expect him to be selected much higher than this in the real draft.” Why mock him here, then?
Reaches, project players, and head-scratchers. I know you guys know football better than this.