The 2023 NFL Draft is a couple short months away. In the latest 7-round mock draft, the Las Vegas Raiders add multiple quarterbacks to replace Derek Carr. One via free agency and one through the draft.
As the fate of Carr remains in limbo, the Raiders are gearing up for what comes after. A trade (or release) is a foregone conclusion at this point, as Carr’s 2023 salary becomes fully guaranteed a few days after the Super Bowl if he is still rostered by Las Vegas.
Tom Brady rumors will only heat up more following the inevitable departure of Carr. We can argue all day about the viability of building a winning roster around a 45-year-old, but the interest is real regardless of the differing opinions in Raider Nation.
Signing Brady won’t necessarily stop general manager Dave Ziegler from drafting a quarterback. However, to fully maximize the chances of competing with Brady, it would be wise to stack the roster instead. What if they strike out on adding The GOAT, though?
Let’s say Brady takes his talents to Nashville, San Francisco, or somewhere in the northeast. The Raiders should call Baltimore to check on Lamar Jackson’s standing with the franchise. Perhaps there is a deal that makes sense for all sides.
Jimmy Garoppolo and Jacoby Brissett will hit free agency this off-season. Each guy has experience playing for Josh McDaniels, and both have shown the ability to serve as a bridge quarterback behind center. That may feel like a lateral move or even a downgrade compared to Carr, but it will save the team millions in cap space.
Raiders 7-Round Mock Draft: Anthony Richardson Becomes Quarterback Of The Future
In this mock draft, we’re operating under the premise that the Raiders sign a bridge quarterback. What would a team centered around Garoppolo/Brissett look like in 2023? Would this stop the front office from drafting a signal caller?
With a projected $50+ million in cap space, Vegas has the money to add starters at other positions. Keep this in mind when reading the mock draft. Free agency will see starters join the fold. Now, with that out of the way, the Raiders are on the clock at No. 7 overall!
Round 1, Pick 7: Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 232 pounds
2022 Stats: 3,203 total yards; 26 total TDs
Oh boy, here we go. The Raiders will still need a quarterback of the future, even if they add a bridge starter for the 2023 season. Anthony Richardson checks every box physically and possesses the type of upside that makes him a potential franchise player in the NFL.
The biggest issue with Richardson as a prospect is that he is rawer than gas station sushi. Okay, maybe not that raw. Richardson boasts NFL arm strength, an ideal frame, and impressive ability as a runner out of the backfield.
Josh McDaniels coached Cam Newton in New England, albeit well after the former MVP’s best days. Still, McDaniels used his rushing ability to put up points for the Patriots. With Richardson, the Raiders get a player who can sit and learn for a season before taking over the reins in 2024.
Round 2, Pick 39: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
Height: 6-foot-8
Weight: 359 pounds
Notable Stat: Zero Sacks Allowed in 2022
Dawand Jones is as big as they come at the offensive tackle position. As you might expect, Jones is a dominant run blocker. His grip strength is exceptional. On top of that, for a 359-pound player, he is surprisingly agile in space.
Jones needs work in pass protection, but his anchor is already elite. More consistent hand usage and better balance in passing sets will make Jones an above-average starter at right tackle. The Buckeye bruiser is an ideal fit for the future with Richardson at quarterback.
Round 3, Pick 71: DJ Turner, CB, Michigan
Height: 6-foot-flat
Weight: 180 pounds
Notable Stat: 2x All-Big Ten selection
The Raiders desperately need help in the secondary. The unit sports an abysmal 53.5 coverage grade (via PFF), the third-worst in the NFL in 2022. DJ Turner is at his best in man coverage, but his experience as a zone defender at Michigan makes him a fit for the Patrick Graham scheme. Turner lacks ideal size, but his sound fundamentals make up for it. He is a potential riser in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Round 4, Pick 109: Byron Young, DT, Alabama
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 292 pounds
Career Stats: 132 tackles, 7.5 sacks
Byron Young gets labeled as a ‘tweener’ on the defensive line. Some say he is too big for the edge; others argue he is not strong enough to battle with guards and centers.
While I do not view Young as elite at either spot, it is easy to see how he could contribute at the next level. The Raiders need to generate more pressure and do a better job of stifling the opposing running backs; Young provides help in both facets.
Round 5, Pick 142: Joe Tippmann, OL, Wisconsin
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 317 pounds
Notable Stat: 1 sack allowed since 2019
Get used to seeing Joe Tippmann in the 7-round mock draft. Tippmann profiles as a starting-caliber player at either guard position or center. The Wisconsin standout is one of the best athletes at the position, and his experience on the Badgers’ offensive line bodes well for his development in the NFL.
Round 5, 145 (via ATL): Nick Herbig, OLB, Wisconsin
*Bryan Edwards Trade Comp*
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 228 pounds
2022 Stats: 15.5 TFLs, 11 sacks
Nick Herbig is a hand-in-glove fit for Patrick Graham’s scheme. Herbig is one of the most underrated players in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Wisconsin linebacker excels as a pass rusher and uses his deceptive athleticism to harass assignments downfield. Midway through this mock draft, the Raiders get a three-down player at linebacker.
Round 5, Pick 174: Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss
*Zay Jones Comp Pick*
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 225 pounds
2022 Stat: 16.9 yards per reception
Ole Miss has sent multiple receivers to the NFL in recent years, and Jonathan Mingo is next in line. Mingo needs work on the technical side of things, lacking a diverse route tree or consistent footwork downfield.
Nevertheless, Mingo’s athletic upside makes him a threat to score on every snap. Sliding him into an offense that features Davante Adams, Darren Waller, Hunter Renfrow, and (hopefully) Josh Jacobs is a promising addition.
Round 6, Pick 202 (via DAL): Dee Winters, LB, TCU
*Johnathan Hankins Trade Comp*
Height: 6-foot-1
Weight: 230 pounds
2022 Stats: 14.5 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, 1 Pick-Six
If it was possible to measure heart and intensity, Dee Winters would be a first-round player on NFL Draft boards. Instead, this mock draft sees the TCU team captain fall to day three. Winters brings a relentless work ethic and is never shy about holding others accountable. He would improve the run defense immediately, with the potential to grow in coverage.
Round 6, Pick 219: Jay Ward, DB, LSU
*Casey Hayward Comp Pick*
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 188 pounds
Career Stats: 17 PBUs, 6 INTs
As much as I try to fill every hole in this mock draft, the Raiders will need to add a veteran starter at safety for 2023. Jay Ward is a developmental piece in the secondary, with the coverage chops to shadow receivers and the explosiveness to light up ball carriers. He will take some time to come into his own, but Ward could be a day three steal a year or two from now.
Round 7, Pick 222 (via ARI): Will Mallory, TE, Miami
*Trayvon Mullen Trade Comp*
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 245 pounds
Career Stat: 14 total touchdowns
Will Mallory possesses quality TE2 potential in the NFL. Mallory is a gifted pass catcher with above-average speed for the position. He is not the best blocker, which he must fix to stick in the McDaniels scheme, but his upside in the passing game is worth taking a shot on in round seven of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Round 7, Pick 233 (via NE): Khalan Laborn, RB, Marshall
*Justin Herron Trade Comp*
Height: 5-foot-11
Weight: 212 pounds
2022 Stats: 1,513 rushing yards, 16 rushing TDs
The mock draft concludes with Khalan Laborn, a former five-star recruit from Marshall. Laborn dealt with injuries and off-field issues, stunting his development and making him an old prospect for the draft. The talent still exists inside Laborn, but he has much to prove during the pre-draft process.
*Top Photo: Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press