The Las Vegas Raiders need a quarterback; that’s not news. What is not known is which route new general manager Tom Telesco will take. If a mega trade to move up into the top three doesn’t occur, taking the best player available would be the next logical choice.
Either way, the Silver and Black can walk away with a king’s ransom.
Raiders Mock Draft: Tom Telesco Getting To Work…
Round 1: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
If Telesco and Co. do manage to pull off a trade, everyone’s mock drafts will be for naught. Still, what would be the fun in that? Looking at it objectively, moving up will cost a lot; if the price tag is too high, the Raiders should stand pat. Picking at No. 13 is far from a detriment; in fact, Telesco could walk away with a playmaker for his defense; enter Clemson’s Nate Wiggins.
Building up the team’s strength (the defense, of course) would be one surefire way to maintain last season’s momentum. With Patrick Graham returning, stockpiling capable corners wouldn’t be a bad idea. The Raiders would essentially be drafting a Day 1 starter in Wiggins. With plenty of athleticism and a competitive drive that doesn’t let up, his frame is imposing at six-foot-two and 185 pounds, along with a 36″ vertical jump.
Capable of succeeding in either man or zone coverage, Wiggins has the physical tools such as speed, quickness, and footwork to keep up with the speediest of wideouts. His lanky build and length will allow him to swarm opposing receivers; Graham would have a reliable defender that would blanket an opponent’s No. 1 or 2 options.
Round 2: Bo Nix, QB, Oregon
The Raiders need a quarterback of the future, but also one that can come in and compete with Aidan O’Connell once training camp gets underway. While Raiders fans might not seem too keen on Bo Nix, the potential is there.
Even if you don’t account a whole lot for Pro Football Focus, Nix’s passing grade of 92.7 is notable. The 2023 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year holds several accolades in his name, including being tops for touchdowns in both the NCAA and Pac-12 with 51. Basically, Nix gets it done.
The time spent in college (five seasons) greatly enhanced his on-field experience. That will serve him well, jokes about his age notwithstanding. He possesses a solid arm (by NFL standards), excellent accuracy in the short area, and the ability to get the ball in tight spaces. Nix should be able to translate to the next level with the Raiders. With the right coaching in Vegas, we can expect Nix’s mechanics to get refined, if nothing else, to a point where he can become a well-rounded quarterback.
Also, Nix has swagger—enough of it to put a Raiders beat writer in his place. That accounts for something, no?
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