Las Vegas Raiders GM Dave Ziegler

Road to the draft: Ramblers give their preferred pick at 38 for the Raiders

Are you ready, Raider Nation? Day two of the 2023 NFL Draft is scheduled to start in less than an hour, and Dave Ziegler holds the seventh pick in the second round. Although round-one has concluded, there’s no shortage of talent available. With names like Joey Porter Jr., Brian Branch and Trenton Simpson available, the Raiders have plenty of options. To see my complete Big-Board for the Raiders ahead of round-two, click here.

Yesterday, ahead of round one, we at The Raider Ramble gave our preferred picks at seventh-overall. Now, ahead of the second round, we’re going to do the same again.

Some of us wish to continue the run on defensive players, while others prefer to make the offense unstoppable. Although we don’t all share the same opinion, each of us has a great reason why ‘our’ guy should be the pick at 38.

Here’s our thoughts.

With the 38th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Dave Ziegler and the Las Vegas Raiders select..

Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson – Alex Monfreda (@AlexMonfreda)

The pressure is on to get two in a row after nailing the Tyree Wilson pick yesterday. There’s no bigger eyesore on the Raiders’ roster than the linebacker unit, and Simpson goes a long way in fixing that. Anything you want your linebacker to do, any position you want your linebacker to play, Simpson can do it. Go out there and get a multi-year starter at the linebacker position, Ziegler.

Will Levis, QB, Kentucky – Mario Tovar (@_MarioTovar)

“Day 2 is almost as, if not more important, than Day 1 for the Las Vegas Raiders. General manager Dave Ziegler really played it well Thursday night, opting to pick up the best pass rusher available with Will Anderson Jr. off the board. So what to do next?
The answer is simple: go get your quarterback. All 32 teams (the Raiders included) passing on him as a first-round pick presents Ziegler with an excellent opportunity. Have him sit for a year or two, fix the issues, and humble him as he learns the craft behind Jimmy Garoppolo, all while head coach Josh McDaniels gets to show off his “QB guru” skills once more.”

Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina – Hunter Haas (@NFLDraftHaas)

“I see Vegas targeting Cam Smith out of South Carolina. The physical cornerback can start day one and gives Patrick Graham a pillar for the secondary.”

Brian Branch, S, Alabama – Cam Archer (@CamArcher)

“Grab a secondary difference maker or trade back.”

Darnell Washington, TE, Georgia – Ray Aspuria (@AsukalAspuria)

“Bring the ideal Josh McDaniels tight end back home to Las Vegas.”

*Top photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Interesting Who Might’ve Been The Pick For The Raiders With A Trade Back

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