The 2022 NFL Draft promises to be one of the most interesting in Raiders’ history. While Las Vegas has had an eventful off-season in terms of acquisitions, this will be the first draft for new general manager Dave Ziegler and head coach Josh McDaniels. So far, the pair has proven that they will be aggressive in adding talent but the draft will show what direction they want to take the Raiders going forward. They must address these three positions when the draft comes around.
What will be the Raiders’ three biggest needs in the draft?
Raiders Need No. 3 – Defensive Tackle
After spending so much time on the position in 2021, the Raiders again must address it in 2022. Not only did Quinton Jefferson and Soloman Thomas head elsewhere in the off-season, Darius Philon, and Jonathan Hankins are still free agents. Former UDFA Kendal Vickers is currently the only carry-over from the 2021 team.
The Raiders have been vigilant in adding however as they have brought in numerous new faces. The first was former Chicago Bear Bilal Nichols who has shown some potential as a pass rusher but will have to prove more in the run game. They also brought in Vernon Butler who is a run stopper in the mold of Hankins. Depth options such as Andrew Billings and Kyle Peko have been added as well.
For a team that is hoping to contend in 2022, these additions will not be enough. As mentioned, Nichols is really more of a pass rusher and the others have not proved anything in the NFL thus far. Adding some young talent, or any talent, to this group would be huge for the Raiders going forward.
Raiders Need No. 2 – Right Tackle
Considering the Raiders used their last first-round selection on a right tackle, it will pain the fans to see this position rated so highly here. Of course, that pick was the Alabama product, Alex Leatherwood. To say that Leatherwood struggled in 2021 would be an understatement. With a PFF grade of 45.0, he was a penalty machine last season. After being used as a turnstile at right tackle in the early part of the season, he was moved inside to guard.
Leatherwood will again be in play at right tackle in 2022. Under new coaching, perhaps he can take a few steps forward. Also returning are Brandon Parker and Jermaine Eluemunor. In a perfect world, both players would simply be depth options.
Luckily for the Raiders, the 2022 NFL Draft is loaded with offensive tackles. Unfortunately, the Raiders are not scheduled to pick until round three. While a trade-up could be in order if they find someone they really like, they may have to secure a developmental option late on day two.
Raiders Need No. 1 – Linebacker
It seems like we say it every year, but the Raiders need linebackers. This comes off the heels of a season where linebacker was perhaps the strongest position group on the team. Nicholas Morrow, Nick Kwiatkowski, Cory Littleton, and K.J. Wright are all gone in 2022. While the Raiders still have their leading tackler in Denzel Perryman, the rest of the group leaves much to be desired.
The two additions to the group thus far have been Jayon Brown and Micah Kiser. Brown, a former Titan, is likely to be the starter at middle linebacker this season. A talented player in coverage, he will be a good addition to the linebacker room. Kiser likely serves as a depth piece.
With Brown and Perryman holding down spots, the Raiders still have one spot that must be filled. As of now, it would be the 2021 draft pick, Divine Deablo. An athletic freak who was converted from safety, Deablo is a carry-over from the Gruden era whom McDaniels and company may not be interested in developing. Regardless, the Raiders will need bodies at the linebacker spot. Currently, with just five on the roster, Las Vegas should be looking to add to the group in April.
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Top photo: Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal