The Las Vegas Raiders have stacked back-to-back wins against Denver and Seattle. As it stands, the Silver and Black also hold the ninth selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. While the wins have kept the club barely afloat, it also pushes them further away from the top prospects in the nation. From what we’ve seen in 2022, here are some realistic options for the Raiders in round one.
Raiders Draft: Option No.1 – Joey Porter Jr., Cornerback, Penn State
Joey Porter Jr., the son of former Steelers and Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter, is an elite prospect. At 6’2″ and 195 pounds, the Penn State defensive back has the perfect size and length for the NFL. Porter Jr. is a rare combination of strength and fluidity that can be lethal at the next level. While the stats don’t tell the whole story, Porter’s 11 2022 pass deflections are a testament to his ball skills. His quickness, length, strength, and ability to high-point balls can be a matchup nightmare for any type of receiver. It will come down to Porter Jr. and Kelee Ringo for the ultimate CB1 in the 2023 class. The Raiders, however, would be getting one of the deepest skill sets in the nation with Porter Jr., while also filling a huge hole.
Raiders Draft: Option No. 2 – Bryan Bresee, IDL, Clemson
Due to a season-ending ACL injury and other ailments, Bryan Bresee has seen a slight drop in his draft stock. This could be good for Las Vegas as they might end up stealing one of Clemson’s top defenders. The interior defensive lineman is a do-it-all guy as he combines NFL size with the ability to jump any gap on the line. The former five-star recruit has demonstrated his exceptional athletic ability in both disruptive pass rushing and efficient run stopping. The Raiders desperately need a force on the defensive line outside of Maxx Crosby, and Bresee could fill multiple roles. With the ability to line up anywhere on the line, the 6’5″, 300-pound Bresee could be the next big thing on a thin Raiders defense.
Raiders Draft: Option No. 3 – Myles Murphy, EDGE, Clemson
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: a Clemson EDGE defender in the first round. This might be a sore spot for Raider Nation, but after a disappointing season from Chandler Jones, EDGE has popped back up as a need. In three seasons, Murphy has racked up 18.5 sacks, 36 tackles for loss, and six forced fumbles. This kind of production, paired with Crosby on the line, would be a tenacious duo that would lead the league in effort. Standing 6’5″ and 275 lbs, Murphy is a powerful end but has a sneaky deep bag of tricks. The Clemson product is still continuing to develop, which makes his NFL intrigue even deeper with the right coach. With Will Anderson out of reach, Murphy would be a fantastic consolation if the Raiders decide to go EDGE.
*Top Photo: 247 Sports
