The first round of the 2021 NFL Draft has come to a close, and it didn't lack drama.
Everyone knew what was going to happen with the No. 1 overall pick and the Jacksonville Jaguars didn't disappoint, selecting Trevor Lawrence. Everything after that though was a total guessing game with surprise picks and trades happening left and right.
There was a lot of speculation surrounding whom the Las Vegas Raiders would select with the No. 17 overall pick. Would they go with a linebacker? Was a safety at the top of Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden's wish list? Or would they bolster the offensive line to protect franchise quarterback Derek Carr?
If you guessed offensive line, congratulations!
Mayock and Gruden opted to fortify the trenches, choosing Alex Leatherwood out of the University of Alabama. After parting ways with Gabe Jackson, Rodney Hudson, and Trent Brown this offseason, the team needed to add more depth to one of the most important positions on the field. Leatherwood was a solid pick for Day 1, but all the attention will now focus to the Day Two prospects.
Several prospects with first-round grades fell to the second round and will be available for the taking when things kick off again on Friday. Let's check out the best available talent according to ESPN and who would be a good fit for the Silver and Black.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
At the top of the list is the former Golden Domer, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Ranked as the No. 12 prospect according to ESPN, it's curious as to why he wasn't selected in the first round, but the fact he'll be available on Day Two bodes well for Mayock and Gruden. Owusu-Koramoah has been linked to the Raiders in numerous mock drafts and would bring a lot of speed to the second level of the defense.
Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
Another prospect that's been linked to the Raiders is still waiting to be drafted. Along with Owusu-Koramoah, many NFL pundits had Las Vegas as a potential landing spot for the former TCU Horned Frog and he'd be an excellent complement to Johnathan Abram. Moehrig totaled seven interceptions during his college career, 124 tackles, and 21 passes defensed.
Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Dare I say there are three prospects in the top five remaining players that have been linked to the Raiders? That's right, Christian Barmore earned a lot of respect during his two seasons as a member of the Crimson Tide and would bring a load of physicality to the Raiders' defensive line. At 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds, Barmore bulldozes his way into the pocket with a unique combination of power and technique, wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks.
During his two seasons at Alabama, Barmore racked up 10 sacks, 15.5 tackles for loss, and 63 tackles. In the event he's still on the board, I can't imagine Mayock and Gruden passing him up.
Here are the top 10 remaining prospects ahead of Day Two, per ESPN:
Position | Player | College |
---|---|---|
LB | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | Notre Dame |
S | Trevon Moehrig | TCU |
WR | Elijah Moore | Ole Miss |
OT | Teven Jenkins | Oklahoma State |
DT | Christian Barmore | Alabama |
OLB | Azeez Ojulari | Georgia |
OT | Liam Eichenberg | Notre Dame |
CB | Asante Samuel Jr. | Florida State |
RB | Javonte Williams | North Carolina |
DE | Ronnie Perkins | Oklahoma |
View NFL.com's Bucky Brooks' top five prospects at each major position in the 2021 draft class.

Quarterbacks
1. Trevor Lawrence - Clemson

Quarterbacks
2. Justin Fields - Ohio State

Quarterbacks
3. Zach Wilson - BYU

Quarterbacks
4. Trey Lance - North Dakota State

Quarterbacks
5. Mac Jones - Alabama

Running Backs
1. Najee Harris - Alabama

Running Backs
2. Travis Etienne - Clemson

Running Backs
3. Javonte Williams - North Carolina

Running Backs
4. Michael Carter - North Carolina

Running Backs
5. Trey Sermon - Ohio State

Wide Receivers
1. Ja'Marr Chase - LSU

Wide Receivers
2. Jaylen Waddle - Alabama

Wide Receivers
3. DeVonta Smith - Alabama

Wide Receivers
4. Kadarius Toney - Florida

Wide Receivers
5. Terrace Marshall Jr. - LSU

Tight Ends
1. Kyle Pitts - Florida

Tight Ends
2. Pat Freiermuth - Penn State

Tight Ends
3. Hunter Long - Boston College

Tight Ends
4. Brevin Jordan - Miami

Tight Ends
5. Tre' McKitty - Georgia

Offensive Tackles
1. Penei Sewell - Oregon

Offensive Tackles
2. Rashawn Slater - Northwestern

Offensive Tackles
3. Christian Darrisaw - Virginia Tech

Offensive Tackles
4. Jalen Mayfield - Michigan

Offensive Tackles
5. James Hudson III - Cincinnati

Interior Blockers
1. Alijah Vera-Tucker - USC

Interior Blockers
2. Wyatt Davis - Ohio State

Interior Blockers
3. Trey Smith - Tennessee

Interior Blockers
4. Creed Humphrey - Oklahoma

Interior Blockers
5. Landon Dickerson - Alabama

Edge Defenders
1. Gregory Rousseau - Miami

Edge Defenders
2. Jaelan Phillips - Miami

Edge Defenders
3. Kwity Paye - Michigan

Edge Defenders
4. Carlos Basham Jr. - Wake Forest

Edge Defenders
5. Jayson Oweh - Penn State

Defensive Tackles
1. Levi Onwuzurike - Washington

Defensive Tackles
2. Christian Barmore - Alabama

Defensive Tackles
3. Daviyon Nixon - Iowa

Defensive Tackles
4. Osa Odighizuwa - UCLA

Defensive Tackles
5. Jay Tufele - USC

Linebackers
1. Micah Parsons - Penn State

Linebackers
2. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah - Notre Dame

Linebackers
3. Nick Bolton - Missouri

Linebackers
4. Jabril Cox - LSU

Linebackers
5. Chazz Surratt - North Carolina

Outside Linebackers
1. Zaven Collins - Tulsa

Outside Linebackers
2. Azeez Ojulari - Georgia

Outside Linebackers
3. Joseph Ossai - Texas

Outside Linebackers
4. Chris Rumph II - Duke

Outside Linebackers
5. Baron Browning - Ohio State

Cornerbacks
1. Patrick Surtain II - Alabama

Cornerbacks
2. Caleb Farley - Virginia Tech

Cornerbacks
3. Jaycee Horn - South Carolina

Cornerbacks
4. Asante Samuel Jr. - Florida State

Cornerbacks
5. Elijah Molden - Washington

Safeties
1. Trevon Moehrig - TCU

Safeties
2. Jevon Holland - Oregon

Safeties
3. Caden Sterns - Texas

Safeties
4. Andre Cisco - Syracuse

Safeties
5. Hamsah Nasirildeen - Florida State