With the NFL season nearing its conclusion and the Las Vegas Raiders having been out of playoff contention for quite some time, we’re already transitioning to draft season. The best part of this time of year is obviously the mock drafts. So, let’s fire up the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator and weigh some Raiders’ draft possibilities.
Before we begin, here are the parameters for this mock draft…
This will be a two-round mock with no trades. We’ve decided to make our own selections for non-Raiders picks due to the current issues with PFF. The simulator frequently produces unexpected results, such as the New England Patriots selecting Tetairoa McMillan first overall or the Indianapolis Colts using their first two picks on running backs. We are using a combination of PFF’s rankings, team needs, and my own in-progress draft notes for those picks, as well as the Raiders selections.
Raiders Mock Draft: Round One
The Board
Not a ton of surprises here. Hunter is going to be the first pick, without question. The next two picks should be quarterbacks unless a team like Jacksonville or Carolina ends up in the top three after the final week. Some may question Tyler Warren from Penn State coming off the board this early, but it is difficult to watch his tape and not give him a top-10 grade.
Plus, the Jets desperately need a dynamic offensive weapon, and Warren provides exactly that. As far as the rest of the picks go, we have some defensive studs coming off the board in Will Johnson and Abdul Carter and the top offensive lineman in the draft in Will Campbell.
Looking At The Raiders’ Options
Picking at eight overall significantly limits the Raiders options. Personally, I am uncertain whether there are any remaining players who I would rank in the top 10. The Raiders should prioritize defensive players among the next-best available players.
From a defensive perspective, Las Vegas’ primary need is a cornerback. The best available cornerback at this point would be Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison. While he is a good player and certainly worth a first-round pick, this would be a bit rich for him. Depending on how free agency shakes out, Las Vegas could have other needs on defense that would open up other options. For the time being, we anticipate the return of most of their starting players.
On the offensive side, there is a clear need for a quarterback. Regrettably, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, who holds a day-two grade from me, appears to be the best available quarterback. That leaves running back as the next biggest need. The Raiders already have a solid core on the offensive line and an elite tight end room. A wide receiver could be a viable option in this situation. Personally, I am not convinced McMillan is a true number one receiver at the next level. The Raiders have enough at the position to not take a big swing early in the draft.
Las Vegas Selects: Ashton Jeanty, Running Back, Boise St.
Jeanty is by far the best available player in the Raiders’ biggest position of need. I don’t rate him in the top ten, primarily due to the low value of running back positions. The only backs getting that high of a grade are freak athletes like Saquon Barkley or Christian McCaffrey. Even though Jeanty may not have a top-10 grade, he will likely rank in the top 10 on my big board, so selecting him at number eight in this class wouldn’t be a significant stretch.
The Boise State prospect is a YAC monster. He forces missed tackles at an absurd rate due to his incredible contact balance. On top of that, he has fantastic vision to help get to the next level consistently, which is where his best traits really shine. Finally, Jeanty demonstrates all the prerequisite skills as a blocker and receiver to be a true three-down back in the NFL.
The Raiders have sorely missed this. Right now, Las Vegas’ best back might actually be Ameer Abdullah. Despite his impressive play, the 31-year-old should primarily focus on third downs and special teams at this stage of his career. Looking at the rest of the group, Zamir White looked awful this year, and Alexander Mattison looked like a solid backup.
The Raiders also have Sincere McCormick and Dylan Laube, but neither offers a ton of upside. They require a formidable running back such as Jeanty to shoulder the burden, particularly if they are relying on a pedestrian quarterback like Aidan O’Connell for the upcoming season.
Raiders Mock Draft: Round Two
The Board
Unfortunately, a third quarterback is off the board at this point. Also, the top five cornerbacks have been taken as well. The rest of the picks have mostly been offensive and defensive linemen. At pick 40, the Raiders may have limited options at their two primary remaining positions of need, making it difficult to upgrade in the trenches. This situation clearly calls for the selection of the best player available.
Las Vegas Selects: Elic Ayomanor, Wide Receiver, Stanford
Although it’s not an urgent necessity, it’s arguable that the Raiders could benefit from having another talented receiver. Jakobi Meyers is fine, but he is more of a ‘1A’ than a true number one receiver. Of course, Raider Nation will be hoping to bring in a big-time free agent like Tee Higgins, but that is expensive and hard to count on.
Ayomanor could be a much cheaper option that has a decent shot at being available when the Raiders make their second pick. The Stanford wideout combines a powerful release with a tremendous burst to create a ton of separation. He also fights hard for the ball on contested catches. Go watch his 2023 film against Travis Hunter and Colorado. It is impressive. Drops and a lack of “hops” are the main concerns, but poor quarterback play makes the receiver’s job much harder than it needs to be.
Placing Ayomanor opposite Meyers would certainly pose significant challenges for opposing secondaries. That is especially true when you factor in Brock Bowers underneath and Tre Tucker coming over the top. This could become a high-flying passing attack complemented by a punishing running back in Jeanty. It may not matter who is playing quarterback at that point.
Bottom Line
This would not be an ideal draft for Las Vegas, as it still leaves the team without a quarterback. Nevertheless, it would make whoever is playing quarterback next year’s job much easier. If the Raiders do that and replenish what should at least be a respectable defense next year, they could make some significant strides in 2025.
*Top Photo: The Raider Ramble
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