Now that the Las Vegas Raiders have started to fill key positions on their coaching staff, it is time to get back in the lab and build another mock draft. With a clearer sense of the scheme, it makes sense to take a fresh look at how the board could fall.
It is also a good time to introduce a new variable. In this mock, we will simulate a draft-day trade Las Vegas could realistically consider. Let’s fire up the Mock Draft Database simulator and get started.
The Raiders trade back into the first round in this 3-round mock draft…
Round 1, Pick No. 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
This spot will essentially be copy and paste through draft day. Mendoza is the pick. It’s all but set in stone at this point. However, you can check out a deeper analysis of that pick here.
In this scenario, the Raiders’ brass is not simply calling it a night after the first pick. With a certain player falling, John Spytek and company climb back into the first round…
Trade!
- The Raiders receive: Picks No. 26 and 91
- The Bills receive: Picks No. 36, 67, and 102
In this scenario, Buffalo is likely disappointed by an early run on wide receivers, especially Washington’s Denzel Boston. With that in mind, the Bills could pivot toward stockpiling picks as they begin a soft rebuild under new head coach Joe Brady.
Meanwhile, the Raiders are looking to bolster the defense by pouncing on a prospect they did not expect to be available.
Round 1, Pick No. 26: Peter Woods, DL, Clemson
It is hard to imagine a world in which Woods falls this far, but this scenario featured a run on perceived premium positions—offensive line, receiver, edge rusher and cornerback. That pushed the Clemson defensive lineman, who projects best on the interior, into the 20s. The slide ends here.
At 6-foot-3 and 310 pounds, Woods is a rare blend of size and athleticism. In college, he lined up across the front, from 1-technique to wider alignments, and even took snaps on the edge. Newly promoted defensive coordinator Rob Leonard would have plenty to work with, especially given his background as a defensive line coach.
Fit is not a concern with a player this versatile, and Leonard has coached in a variety of fronts. Pairing Woods with Maxx Crosby up front would be the kind of “dream” outcome the Raiders envisioned when they signed Christian Wilkins—before that plan went sideways.
After the trade, Las Vegas will take a breather until the back end of Day 2.
Round 3, Pick No. 91: Kamari Ramsey, DB, USC
That is the trade-off of moving up. By waiting until No. 91 to pick again, the Raiders likely miss out on most Day 1-caliber offensive line options. In that scenario, John Spytek would need to address the line in free agency and hope prospects such as Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant develop as planned. That approach also allows Las Vegas to use its lone Day 2 pick on one of the defense’s many needs.
Enter Ramsey. The USC safety offers real versatility, with experience playing deep, in the box and in the slot. That last role is where Las Vegas could use him most. The Raiders have a clear need there, and Darnay Holmes does not look like a long-term answer. This is not a splashy pick, but after taking big swings early, the goal is to stack “singles” and keep filling holes.
*Top Photo: Getty Images