Jon Gruden enters his fourth year at the helm of the Las Vegas Raiders, needing to nail the 2021 NFL Draft. After a head-scratching off-season, the Raiders look to add rookie talent on both sides of the ball. Needs at starter are glaring on offense and defense alike. Fans are eager for Gruden to add day one starters in 2021. Las Vegas has eight picks to address a young roster that hasn’t quite lived up to its initial hype. Just out of reach of the 2020 postseason, let’s see what draft selections the Raiders could make in this mock to change the future of the silver and black.
Note: This Raiders Mock Draft was performed using The Draft Network’s Mock Draft Machine
Las Vegas Raiders Seven Round Mock Draft
First Round (17th Overall) – Zaven Collins, LB
The Raiders 26th-overall defense needs to be addressed, so when better than round one. The 6’5”, 260-pound linebacker has all the freak qualities that the Raiders typically reach for. 17 may be a little early for the Tulsa standout, but Collins continues to climb up draft boards. Collins thrives on all three downs and can play just about any spot in a linebacking corps. He also improved his weight approaching the draft. Las Vegas could look to trade back if they like Collins and teams are calling, but without trades, this mock has Collins landing here.
Zaven Collins NFL Draft Profile
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Second Round (48th Overall)- Dillon Radunz, OT
A good Senior bowl outing has Radunz rising out of the third round and into the second. Being from North Dakota State shouldn’t shy the Raiders away from Radunz, who can play against top-tier guys for four quarters. Gruden traded away starters Gabe Jackson, Rodney Hudson, and Trent Brown in the off-season. Kolton Miller did get an extension, but depth is scarce across the line. Addressing the offensive line early is essential to success moving forward for the Raiders. A solid second option for Gruden and company, Radunz looks like a typical starting NFL lineman.
Dillon Radunz NFL Draft Profile
Third Round (79th Overall) – Jamar Johnson, S
Free safety is arguably the largest need on defense. Jamar Johnson plays high safety very well and would compliment hitters like Johnathan Abram and newly reacquired, Karl Joseph. With a high football IQ and great ball skills, Johnson could add a needed element to a struggling Raiders secondary. He also provides versatility, having played reps at corner at Indiana. Gus Bradley gushes over these types of prospects. Bradley may be asking for his man in the first two rounds, but Johnson here is a great value. Gruden will nab a safety in the early rounds if he wants to compete.
Jamar Johnson NFL Draft Profile
Third Round (80th Overall) – Tommy Togiai, IDL
Maurice Hurst, despite leading all Raiders in quarterback pressures, was released and claimed in the off-season by the 49ers. Solomon Thomas made his way to Vegas, making the Bay Area swap complete, but interior line still seems to be a need. Tommy Togiai comes to a thick defensive line in Vegas, and adds that interior pass rush that will be missed in Hurst’s absence. Gruden likes big and fast, which also fits the Raiders draft history. Togiai, in a rotational role, paired with Yannick Ngakoue could force lines to double team one of the two, creating matchup issues.
Tommy Togiai NFL Draft Profile
Fourth Round (121st Overall) – Hamilcar Rashed Jr., EDGE
Fifteen sack seasons are nothing to scoff at and Hamilcar Rashed Jr. has one on his resume. Rashed Jr. enters the NFL draft with blazing speed off the line, and has upside to be drafted earlier than 121st. A dip in production in 2020 has seen his stock plummet, but Rashed Jr. looks to silence critics wherever he lands. A chance would be welcomed in Vegas, who has added pieces to help Maxx Crosby and friends on the Raiders defensive front. A recent departure by the underwhelming Arden Key makes way for the Oregon State defender’s selection here.
Hamilcar Rashed Jr. NFL Draft Profile
Fifth Round (162nd Overall) – Ambry Thomas, CB
The AFC West is full of speedy receiving talent. Thomas only started one full season, but still shows flashes of the NFL press corner standard. Signing Rasul Douglas adds depth at corner, but Mike Mayock can never have enough corners. Gruden agrees and snags a sure tackling corner in Thomas. If not a corner option in six defensive back sets, Thomas can look to contribute on special teams where he is also familiar. Las Vegas has rotated their secondary in recent seasons, and Gus Bradley will look to do that as well with the Michigan product.
Ambry Thomas NFL Draft Profile
Fifth Round (167th Overall) – Daelin Hayes, EDGE
A high character leader at Notre Dame, Daelin Hayes is as much of a locker room presence as he is effective on the field. Yannick Ngakoue did join the Raiders, but the depth after him is lacking and will possibly be addressed twice in this year’s draft. Hayes has off-the-field qualities that could land him on a Walter Payton Man of the Year Award list, however, he lacks NFL presence on defense. A young defense in need of an identity, Hayes could add a leadership presence, even as a rookie.
Daelin Hayes NFL Draft Profile
Sixth Round (200th Overall) – Drake Jackson, IOL
As previously mentioned, the Raiders lost center Rodney Hudson after a trade with the Arizona Cardinals. Gruden and Mayock seem excited about the depth chart now, but a deep draft allows for the last selection to protect Derek Carr. Time will be crucial for Carr to get the ball to Henry Ruggs, Darren Waller, and Hunter Renfrow. Drake Jackson is a composed center, with three seasons in Kentucky as a starter. With the ability to start if a man goes down, Jackson would be great value at 200th and could go even earlier.
Drake Jackson NFL Draft Profile
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