The Raiders are in a rare position entering the NFL Draft. Their Free Agency period was a borderline home run. This is the first time in awhile, that the Raiders addressed their most glaring needs in free agency. Vegas is positioned to take the best player available across all rounds of the NFL Draft.
New GM Tom Telesco knows this position well. His Chargers were great at finding value throughout the NFL Draft.
Ultimately, the Raiders offseason has been successful enough for them to be playing with the houses money in the NFL Draft. There’s really only one need the Raiders must address in free agency before they earn a solid A for their offseason.
It would be hard not to give the Raiders an A for the offseason if they land a quarterback and address some of their depth needs.
Free Agency Applause
The Raiders finally got a defensive tackle. Christian Wilkins, one of the best players at his position, is a Raider. We don’t have to dream it, hope it or pray for it.
Wilkins is the type of player that improves every layer of the defense. This sort of signing proves the new front office knows what it is doing. It also proves coaching staff can get players to buy-in. Moreover, it makes one less need for the Raiders to address in the NFL Draft.
Las Vegas made the position even stronger by re-signing defensive linemen John Jenkins and Adam Butler. They’re familiar with Wilkins from time in Miami and they had resurgent years with the Raiders last season. Both players cost lest than three million for this year, which is a steal given the importance of run-stuffers in the modern NFL. Butler and Jenkins give the Raiders a stout and versatile front.
Quarterback?
Now, imagine if the Raiders had a quarterback? Signing Gardner Mishnew wasn’t terrible but does any one think that’s the answer? Even if he is better than Jimmy G., do you want Mishnew starting?
Aiden O’Connell has his ups and downs last year. He too is competent but he doesnt have the upside you want in a division owned by Pat Mahomes and Justin Herbert. That’s why the Raiders must get their quarterback in this draft.
Regardless who the Raiders start at quarterback, they need more weapons all along the offense. They did not exactly address that in Free Agency, so that leaves things open in the NFL Draft.
Breaking down the Rest of Free Agency
Vegas signed veteran RB Alexander Mattison and TE Harrison Bryant. Mattison was poised for a breakout year taking over as starter in Minnesota. However, he was slowly phase out. He’s a solid red zone and depth option but we don’t want hom every down. That’s Zamir’s job to lose to a rookie at least.
Bryant brings experience as a blocking tight end but he also has some upside as a pass catcher. He did well filling in for Njoku over the years. This is probably my favorite signing.
Otherwise, Vegas added veteran Cody Whitehair to the offensive line. The veteran knows the Raiders’ offensive coordinator from their days in Chicago. Whitehair has battled injuries and got phased out of Chicago but he should be an upgrade over Greg Van Roten. I don’t care what PFF says.
Draft Strategy
Vegas also said goodbye to Jermaine Eleumunor. Eleumonor basically played all the positions on the OL during his two seasons with the Silver and Black. He struggled with speed but settled in as a swing tackle and above-average starting right tackle. That is why many mock drafts have the Raiders drafting a tackle high.
Tackle Thayer Munford has improved as a right tackle over the past two seasons. Still, Vegas can move him to guard or keep him as a depth player. Either way, tackle will get real consideration in the NFL Draft based on how the Raiders want to build through the trenches. They believe in the trenches so much they brought back Andre James on an extension.
The Raiders also said goodbye to DB Amik Robertson. Thus, all the rumors connecting Vegas to veteran corners like Xavien Howard and Adoree Jackson. Whether they add one or not, Vegas could very well consider a corner at No. 13 too.
Hunter Renfrow is gone now. Vegas already has his replacement with Tre Tucker on the roster. Yet, can you have too many receivers in the modern NFL? So yeah you can’t really take receiver out of play for the Silver and Black.
Either way, the Raiders adding Wilkins was a home run. The other offseason signings were solid but nothing close to Wilkins. It was such a success that it lifts the tides of the entire roster. That means the Raiders really don’t need to do much more to the roster in terms of free agency.
Get the Guy
Insert the NFL Draft. Many rumors have the Raiders trying to move into the top-5 for a quarterback. At this point, we all know Antonio Pierce has coached Jayden Daniels. There’s also been speculation the Raiders may hold out for JJ McCarthy, Michael Penix or Bo Nix later in the first round or early in the second.
There are varying scenarios where any of the two to six quarterbacks go in the top half of the draft. Vegas may have to move up to even get a chance at one of those guys. None of them might be there at No. 13. However, Penix, McCarthy and Nix might all be there too. No matter, Vegas must get one of those top four quarterbacks. Ideally, it’s Daniels or Penix.
Penix’s value has been every where from the top-five to the second round. There’s a narrative around his health but his medicals keep coming up clean. Penix hasn’t been hurt in two plus seasons. He’s been a gamer since his days with Indiana. Penix ran a crazy forty and he can throw with both arms. The Washington QB was a Heisman candidate and played for a National Championship too.
Vegas can’t pass on Penix at 13. Ideally, they trade back and get him in the twenties or at the top of Day 2. However, what’s the point? He would be the best player available and fill an immediate need at 13. I wouldn’t even be mad if Vegas moved up to get Penix in the top-10. Just get a QB!
Just Get a QB
Of course, Daniels would also be a great pick. However, I am not sold on him due to his size and risks. I know he won the Heisman and can do exceptional things but Penix is more refined right now.
Nix doesn’t do it for me. He had an exceptional year but he still lost to Penix. Nix is also “old” in prospect terms like Penix. Of course, Nix might make sense in the second.
Now, McCarthy did beat Penix in the title game. I’m just worried he is a product of his system and talent around him. It’s easy to see McCarthy just being average to solid as a starter. Yet, there’s buzz around him rising in many NFL Draft circles.
And the Raiders probably won’t get Drake Maye or Caleb Williams since they are both going in the top-three. Still, Williams needs some develop and Maye could be the next UNC quarterback bust. That’s why Penix makes the most sense as far as upside, value and need. Get your silver durags ready.
If Penix is not available at 13, Toledo corner Quinyon Mitchell makes sense. He gets knocked for his level of competiton but he dominated all coverages at the Senior Bowl. He can tackle and take a side of the whole field away.
Other Options at 13
Otherwise, the tackles make the most sense. Oregon St. tackle Taliese Fuaga, Washington Tackle Troy Fautanu and Penn State tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu woull all slate as starters. Of course, Raiders fans have PTSD from all the tackles drafted over the years. Kolton Miller has been the only good one and some knock him for not being truly elite.
Therefore, all signs point to the Raiders doing anything they can to get their quarterback. If that means taking Penix higher than consensus, so be it. If that means moving up to get Penix or Daniels, let it be.
Vegas can find a veteran tackle like Mehki Becton or a veteran corner like Jackson or Howard. They can try to add trench talent in the middle rounds. There should also be some athletic corners with upside worth gambling on in the later rounds. At least on paper, the Raiders have solid depth at those positions.
The Secret Need
Otherwise, the Raiders biggest remaining need is at linebacker. Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo had break out years. Some might say they overachieved. Whatever the case, they did battle injuries. Vegas could use a great athlete like Payton Wilson at linebacker if he’s available in the second round. Texas A&M linebacker Edgerrin Cooper could slip into the second too. He brings value off the edge and as a backer.
Both could also be gone in the second. Vegas could move back or maybe go Best Player Available in the second. That could bring them back to drafting a tackle, corner or even running back. Texas RB Jonathan Brooks looked like a first rounder before injury. He’d add some explosiveness to a backfield that needs it. FSU DL Braden Fiske also looks like a beast the Raiders can’t pass on in the second.
Still, all things point to the Raiders getting a RB or LB in the later rounds. That’s pretty much been their strategy the last few years. Pierce likes what he has at those positions. He may also just feel more comfortable grooming a guy from the later rounds at those positions
The Verdict
Ultimately, the Raiders could use upgrades throughout their roster. However, they desperately need a QB. Vegas must do whatever they can to get their QB. After that, it’s about stacking up talent throughout the roster. If they hit those marks, there’s no reason why Raiders fans can’t walk out of the offseason feeling confident in the direction of the organization.
