The Las Vegas Raiders will have a bevy of interesting options when it’s their turn to make their selection next April. The 2023 NFL Draft will present them with quarterback prospects, defensive standouts, and some notable offensive linemen. Now, keep in mind that the order is not yet set. As of this publication, the Raiders are picking ninth. Let’s see what the Raider Ramble crew thinks they should do with this selection in a roundtable mock draft discussion.
2023 Raiders Mock Draft: Who Should Be The 9th Pick For Vegas?
Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern
The Raiders’ interior offensive line is their major problem right now, as it has struggled recently, but if Peter Skoronski is available, you choose him. Skoronski and Kolton Miller together would provide the Raiders’ quarterback for the upcoming season with a sense of security in the pocket. Skoronski can reach the second level thanks to his athleticism, making him a weapon in the running game. It’s over as soon as he puts his hands on a defender. Having Skoronski in Silver and Black would be fantastic for Josh McDaniels’ offense. The trenches still matter in football.
Quentin Johnston, WR, TCU
A wide receiver? Really? The Raiders have legitimate needs at more than one position, yet all this pick does is add to a unit that already houses All-Pro wideout Davante Adams and 2021 Pro Bowler Hunter Renfrow. Let me explain. There’s no question Las Vegas has talent at the receiver position, but the team’s offense lacks speed in a major way. Per Pro Football Network, the average 40-time for a WR is 4.53, a time no player in the Raiders’ receiving room was able to beat during their respective combine or Pro Day. Johnston’s [expected] 4.40 time immediately gives the offense speed, and his towering 6’4″ height makes him a truly special player. Furthermore, the TCU star is the perfect centerpiece for those trick plays Josh McDaniels loves.
Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame
At nine, the Raiders are out of contention for a quarterback that can reasonably be expected to be an immediate upgrade over Carr. At this point, their main need is a corner, but this is a deep class for the position. So, just take the best player available, which is Mayer by far. He is an every-down tight end with elite size and athleticism. With Moreau likely on his way out, Waller’s age and injury history, and Josh McDaniels’ penchant for 2-tight end sets, he would certainly have an immediate impact.
2023 Raiders Mock Draft: Patrick Graham’s defense needs more corners
Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
The Raiders haven’t had a legitimate big corner since Nnamdi Asomugha, and if you’ve seen them play this year, you’ll notice that the position is still lacking serious depth. With Ringo, he’s 6’2″ and has the ability to be that dominant corner. Yes, I know quarterback is a big question, but at 9 or even 6, Stroud and Young are gone. If that’s the case, take advantage and draft one of the best defensive prospects in this NFL draft class.
Another mock draft vote for Peter Skoronski…Â
The Raiders could go in many directions with this pick. I believe they are selecting too low for an impact quarterback, and with the defense playing better in recent weeks, the Raiders’ brain trust should focus on the team’s most obvious need, right tackle. Skoronski is a unanimous All-American, the best offensive lineman in the draft, and is equally impressive at run blocking and pass blocking, with his 93.7 Pro Football Focus pass-blocking rating the best in FBS over the last two seasons. Whoever the Raiders QB of the future may be, he’ll be better off with Skoronski and Kolton Miller as bookend tackles. Skoronski is as slam-dunk a pick as you will find in the upcoming draft.
NFL Draft: Should Dave Ziegler and the Raiders maybe trade their pick?
Trade
There are a lot of uncertainties as we head into this offseason. Will Carr be back? That is going to be the largest factor in this, I believe. But either way, the Raiders should opt to trade back and get more draft capital. With the first draft last season under Ziegler and McDaniels, we didn’t get to really see how they draft in the early rounds after they acquired Davante Adams. But if the Raiders do decide to move on from Carr, I can’t see them possibly getting a top option at the current 9th overall pick… Either way, it’s clear that this team has some holes and needs depth. It’s still recovering from the brutal Gruden/Mayock drafts that seem to have set this franchise back.
With all of the needs, I could see why a trade-down scenario would be encouraging and would allow this staff to bring in even more young guys that they like. Trade-downs aren’t the most exciting thing in the world, but with so many holes to fill, I believe they’re the best option for this franchise and its younger management.
Trade
Up or down remains to be seen; however, the Raiders lack a true difference-making defensive talent outside Maxx Crosby. Las Vegas likely needs to trade up in this upcoming NFL draft to land that type of prospect. The other possibility is that the Raiders will trade down later in the draft to acquire more draft capital to bolster their depleted roster.
The Raiders need to keep it simple, just draft the “best player available.”
From statements made by head coach Josh McDaniels and knowing the structure of Derek Carr’s contract, the Raiders have one glaring offensive need but also need major defensive help at every level. If Byce Young, C.J. Stroud, or whomever they deem to be QB1 is available, the Raiders should pull the trigger. If the QB value on their draft board isn’t good at pick 9, it would be wiser to draft the best defensive player available regardless of position. The defense has been playing better as of late, but they lack depth and size at a lot of positions.
Raiders 3-Round Mock Draft: QB Of The Future, Reloading The Defense
*Top Photo: Arizona Sports