The 2021 NFL Draft is a little more than three weeks away, and with excitement building, it's time to take a look at the Las Vegas Raiders' potential picks.
General Manager Mike Mayock and Head Coach Jon Gruden made some improvements on both sides of the ball this offseason, but they made sure they improved the pass rush with the addition of Yannick Ngakoue. His presence alone will most certainly elevate the unit, but draft analysts believe the duo of Mayock and Gruden are far from beefing up the defensive front.
Here's what the analysts are saying:
| Pick | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 17 | Jamin Davis | LB | Kentucky |
Analysis:
"Get to know this name, because Davis is a big-time riser. When I sat down recently to watch his 2020 tape, I loved what I saw. He has tremendous range. He is physical. He can play inside or outside. He can cover and has some ball skills, including picking off three passes last season. Davis is the total package, and he could slot in at middle linebacker for Jon Gruden's Raiders team."
| Pick | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 17 | Trevon Moehrig | S | TCU |
Analysis:
"The Raiders were one of seven teams to allow north of 260 passing yards per game last season. In a division with Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, that's a significant issue. Moehrig is the class's top safety and has terrific ball skills, which might help improve the Raiders' total of 10 interceptions in 2020."
| Pick | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 17 | Kwity Paye | EDGE | Michigan |
| Pick | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 17 | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | LB | Notre Dame |
Analysis:
"The Raiders need an infusion of athleticism and playmaking ability on the second level. Owusu-Koramoah is a sideline-to-sideline defender with speed, instincts and big-hit ability."
Take a look at draft prospects that analysts project the Silver and Black to select with their first-round pick (17th overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft. (Last updated Wednesday, April 28, 2021)
DT Christian Barmore - Alabama
EDGE Carlos Basham Jr. - Wake Forest
WR Rashod Bateman - Minnesota
OL Jackson Carman - Clemson
T Christian Darrisaw - Virginia Tech
LB Jamin Davis - Kentucky
CB Jaycee Horn - South Carolina
T Teven Jenkins - Oklahoma State
OL Alex Leatherwood - Alabama
WR Terrace Marshall Jr. - LSU
S Trevon Moehrig - TCU
CB Greg Newsome II - Northwestern
EDGE Azeez Ojulari - Georgia
EDGE Joseph Ossai - Texas
EDGE Jayson Oweh - Penn State
LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah - Notre Dame
LB Micah Parsons - Penn State
EDGE Kwity Paye - Michigan
EDGE Jaelan Phillips - Miami
EDGE Gregory Rousseau - Miami
T Penei Sewell - Oregon
OL Rashawn Slater - Northwestern
WR DeVonta Smith - Alabama
CB Patrick Surtain II - Alabama
G Alijah Vera-Tucker - USC
| Pick | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 17 | Christian Barmore | DT | Alabama |
Analysis:
"Many mock drafts have Las Vegas targeting a linebacker here, but Barmore is a true two-way defensive tackle who can improve the Raiders' run defense and interior pass rush."
| Pick | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 17 | Christian Barmore | DT | Alabama |
Analysis:
"The Raiders don't hesitate here, as pass-rushing juice from the inside is desperately needed on this team."
View the top 50 prospects leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft, according to NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah.
QB Trevor Lawrence - Clemson
TE Kyle Pitts - Florida
WR Ja'Marr Chase - LSU
QB Zach Wilson - BYU
WR Jaylen Waddle - Alabama
WR DeVonta Smith - Alabama
QB Trey Lance - North Dakota State
QB Justin Fields - Ohio State
OT Rashawn Slater - Northwestern
CB Patrick Surtain II - Alabama
LB Micah Parsons - Penn State
OT Penei Sewell - Oregon
EDGE Gregory Rousseau - Miami
EDGE Kwity Paye - Michigan
OT Alijah Vera-Tucker - USC
CB Jaycee Horn - South Carolina
CB Caleb Farley - Virginia Tech
LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah - Notre Dame
S Trevon Moehrig - TCU
RB Travis Etienne - Clemson
RB Najee Harris - Alabama
EDGE Jaelan Phillips - Miami
WR Kadarius Toney - Florida
LB Jamin Davis - Kentucky
LB Zaven Collins - Tulsa
RB Javonte Williams - North Carolina
OT Jalen Mayfield - Michigan
CB Greg Newsome II - Northwestern
EDGE Azeez Ojulari - Georgia
DT Levi Onwuzurike - Washington
EDGE Jayson Oweh - Penn State
QB Mac Jones - Alabama
LB Nick Bolton - Missouri
OT Teven Jenkins - Oklahoma State
EDGE Joe Tryon - Washington
OT Christian Darrisaw - Virginia Tech
WR Terrace Marshall Jr. - LSU
WR Elijah Moore - Mississippi
CB Asante Samuel Jr. - Florida State
OL Landon Dickerson - Alabama
OT Liam Eichenberg - Notre Dame
DT Christian Barmore - Ohio State
EDGE Ronnie Perkins - Oklahoma
C Quinn Meinerz - Wisconsin–Whitewater
CB Kelvin Joseph - Kentucky
TE Pat Freiermuth - Penn State
OT Dillon Radunz - North Dakota State
WR Rashod Bateman - Minnesota
CB Elijah Molden - Washington
LB Jabril Cox - LSU
