We’re almost at NFL Draft week, and the prognostications are going to multiply exponentially with 10 days remaining. Suffice it to say, the 2023 rendition of the annual event has so much potential for the Las Vegas Raiders and their general manager, Dave Ziegler.
It could be the catalyst for the Silver and Black’s return to greatness, or it could keep them in the purgatory of numbness. There’s no in-between for the chief personnel man (and roster builder/decider) in Ziegler and head coach (and offensive play caller) Josh McDaniels. They have the opportunity to have a watershed moment where the tone shifts from “their dummies” to “they know what they’re doing”.
As such, here’s my latest Raiders mock draft (4.0 edition) as we approach the three-day 2023 NFL Draft extravaganza, April 27-29.
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It’s another defensive-heavy 2023 class prediction — which would be stupendous — but we won’t know what’s exactly on the Raiders’ draft board. Thus, here we go:
Raiders Mock: Round 1
No. 7 overall: Trade! The Tennessee Titans come calling to move up to seven and offer Nos. 11 and 41 to do so. Swap made.
No. 11 overall: Cornerback, Devon Witherspoon (Illinois). Moving down four spots to gain another second rounder and being able to snag an alpha DB like Witherspoon would be a home run scenario. Witherspoon is a true striker as a tackler and a stingy cover corner with improving ballhawk skills. He can come in as an immediate CB1.
Raiders Mock: Round 2
No. 38 overall: Linebacker, Drew Sanders (Arkansas). A do-it-all type defender who can man the middle linebacker spot and get all 11 defenders in sync, Sanders can be a matchup type linebacker and pass rusher, too. He can line up in the middle or even on the edge, providing excellent versatility.
No. 41 overall: EDGE, Tuli Tuipulotu (USC). Instinctive and armed with natural power and an undying motor, Double T gives the Raiders two bookend edge rushers who are relentless (Maxx Crosby is the other). The Tongan Bulldozer and The Condor would be an exciting one-two punch, hunting down quarterbacks and smashing the run.
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Raiders Mock: Round 3
No. 70 overall: Defensive tackle Siaki Ika (Baylor). Plug this defender in the middle and nose tackle and watch him work. Very disruptive with nimble feet and power to anchor, Ika is comfortable making plays in the backfield or attracting double teams to open things up for teammates.
No. 100 overall: Offensive tackle, Tyler Steen (Alabama). Steen, who can play left or right tackle with the requisite power, can compete to be the versatile swing tackle at both spots. He moves very well, although his footwork can get sloppy. Still, his large frame is enticing.
Raiders Mock: Round 4
No. 109 overall: Tight end Cameron Latu (Alabama). A combo tight end who isn’t afraid to inline block and become a reliable safety net for quarterbacks in the middle of the field, Latu offers sneaky red zone dominator potential.
Raiders Mock: Round 5
No. 141 overall: Cornerback, Riley Moss (Iowa). While he may not pack the same wallop as Witherspoon, Moss can hit and get his hands on the ball in flight—a lot. Can play press man and zone with potential to be a safety at the next level, too.
No. 144 overall: Offensive guard, Braeden Daniels (Utah). Going along the lines of the Raiders preference for offensive linemen who can play multiple spots, Daniels lined up at left guard and both tackle spots. He’s very athletic, can be a strong pull-type, and can grow into a solid swing option.
No. 174 overall: Quarterback Jake Haener (Fresno State). Haener is a solid developmental prospect for McDaniels because of his high accuracy and competitive nature. He’s got the moxie and intelligence to make up for the lack of a big arm.
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Raiders Mock: Round 6
No. 204 overall: Linebacker, Yasir Abdullah (Louisville). An explosive linebacker who rushed and dropped into coverage, Abdullah can be an immediate special teamer as he grows into a role on defense. He can be a subpackage rusher, too.
No. 214 overall: Wide receiver, Derius Davis (TCU). Veteran DeAndre Carter is a productive return man, but Davis provides elite speed to compete for the return specialist role. Las Vegas needs a serious jolt on returns, and Davis has five career punt return scores.
Raiders Mock: Round 7
No. 220 overall: Linebacker, Anfernee Orji (Vanderbilt). Another explosive prospect that provides thump, high motor, and ready-made special teams traits, Orji is the type of defender that can make a difference on Tom McMahon’s unit while learning the ropes on defense.
No. 231 overall: Safety, Daniel Scott (California). A rangy safety who has the speed to go sideline-to-sideline, Scott can be a deep cover safety with solid special teams experience to bolster the Raiders’ units.
*Top Photo: 247 Sports
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