The Raiders have undergone a complete overhaul, hiring a new staff under the leadership of Mark Davis, in the hope of finally turning things around. The team has struggled with drafting in recent years and has had five first-round busts since 2018. Finishing with an 8-9 record last season, the Raiders roster is flawed and they lack an elite quarterback in a highly competitive AFC quarterback group. Moreover, the Raiders’ defense had a remarkable stretch towards the end of the season after Antonio Pierce took over as interim, but it is unlikely to be sustained. As such, the Raiders shouldn’t rely too much on their recent defensive success when approaching the upcoming draft. The team is expected to make several trades during the 2024 draft season as they aim to acquire the missing pieces necessary to become contenders.
Las Vegas Raiders Mock Draft 1.0
Round One (Pick 13) – Bo Nix | QB | Oregon
The Raiders may not have enough draft capital to trade up to the top of the draft, which is likely what they would prefer to do. However, Bo Nix is still an attractive option. He brings valuable experience to the team, which will help them become immediate contenders. Nix is a poised passer who possesses elite escapability and pocket presence. Throughout his college career, he has continually improved his decision-making and accuracy. He is the ideal fit for the Raiders offense, surrounded by talented players such as Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Michael Mayer. With a strong running game featuring Josh Jacobs and Zahmir White, the Raiders won’t have to rely solely on Nix. He can play smart football, limiting turnovers, and making significant plays when necessary. He is the perfect fit for the Raiders to secure their franchise quarterback while saving draft capital.
Round Two (Pick 44) – Kalen King | CB | Penn State
The Raiders have some talented cornerbacks, but they lack depth and don’t have an elite player in that position. Although Nate Hobbs is a great slot corner, he can’t handle everything himself. Amik Robertson, the best outside corner on the team, is hitting free agency, and the Raiders are unsure if they will bring him back. Kalen King is a highly talented player who plays a fluid and physical brand of football. He excels in both zone and man coverage, making him an ideal fit for Patrick Graham’s defensive scheme. His elite football IQ allows him to gain leverage at the line of scrimmage easily. In addition, he is a very willing tackler in the running game, not afraid to put his head down and fight. With his instinctive play, he will be able to make an immediate impact in his rookie season and could potentially be a day-one starter.
Round Three (Pick 77) – Micahel Hall Jr. | DT | Ohio State
The Raiders have had a significant weakness for a long time now when it comes to interior pressure. While Maxx Crosby and Malcom Koonce have started to become an elite duo on the edge, they receive very little support from the interior. Although Tyree Wilson has started to get some reps on the inside, he won’t be a permanent solution. This is a golden opportunity for the Raiders to get some help in stopping the rushing attack and putting pressure on the quarterback. Hall is a twitchy player who can beat one-on-ones and get straight to the quarterback. He has the strength and ability to force runners to move east to west, which puts them within Maxx Crosby’s range. He is extremely disruptive, being able to get vertical and stop plays immediately. His only weakness is against the double team, but playing with Crosby and Koonce means he is unlikely to face many double teams.
Round Four (Pick 113) – Mason McCormick | OT | South Dakota State
Antonio Pierce has expressed his desire for the team to focus on improving their run game. To achieve this, the Raiders are looking to strengthen their offensive tackle position. Mason McCormick is a player who fits the bill, known for his exceptional run-blocking ability. He possesses great length, is physically imposing, and uses his strength to dominate players smaller than him. McCormick is a player who plays through the whistle and is known for his physical style of play. By creating lanes for the running backs, he can significantly improve the Raiders’ running game. However, his weakness lies in pass-blocking, where he needs to be more aggressive and confident in himself. With the help of a good coach, he can improve his pass-blocking skills and become an all-around solid tackle in the NFL.
Round Five (Pick 147) – Luke McCaffery | WR | Rice
It seems highly likely that Hunter Renfrow will leave this offseason, creating a hole at the slot receiver position. Luke McCaffery has caught the attention of many people across the league and is considered to be a draft riser. As a former quarterback at Nebraska, he possesses an exceptional football IQ. He’s adept at finding open spaces and making plays from the slot, thanks to his impressive agility. His quickness enables him to identify gaps in the zone at all levels of the field. McCaffery is a tough player who can take significant hits to make significant plays. His run-after-the-catch ability is often underrated, but it’s a crucial aspect of his game. He struggles to maintain separation from defenders, which means he has to make all of his catches contested. Despite this, he has excellent concentration and ball-tracking ability, making him an excellent vertical threat in the NFL.
Round Six (Pick 190) – Curtis Jacobs | LB | Penn State
The Raiders’ linebackers have been showing improvement under the guidance of Antonio Pierce, but they still require more depth. Curtis Jacobs would be an excellent addition as a depth player for the Raiders’ defense. Although Jacobs may not be very effective at stopping the run, he has the potential to become a solid defender in man coverage. He is a smooth and agile defender, capable of using his hands and quick reflexes to keep up with his targets. While he may have some weaknesses in the run game, he can become a reliable coverage backer with some development.
Round Seven (Pick 221) – Christian Jones | OT | Texas
Tackle depth is something the Raiders can get enough of Pierce needs to sure up his offensive line so he can give his franchise quarterback protection. If the Raiders draft Jones they aren’t going to get a future starter they would draft him for depth only. He possesses the frame and strength to be just an animal when it comes to blocking. He will take tons of time to develop because he lacks athleticism and will be a holding machine at the NFL level. Teams will give him a chance in hopes that they can teach him how to use his strength against NFL defenders.
Round Seven (Pick 231) – Josh DeBerry | CB | Texas A&M
The Raiders continue to add depth to the most volatile position in the NFL. DeBerry is not just a great name but has some very solid traits. He is a ball hawk he can track the ball through the air well and has the straight-line speed to recover quickly. DeBerry will find success in press coverage but is no slouch in zone coverage either as he can sit back and make plays with pure instinct. He fell so far in the draft because of his missed tackle rate and sloppy technical skills. He possesses the elite traits it takes to be a steal if he falls in the draft.
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