Entering the 2021 NFL draft, the Raiders have to find a way to fix their defense. They added a few veteran players in free agency, but the No. 32 ranked scoring defense in the league in 2020 still needs a ton of attention.
However, you can make a strong case that despite their need on defense, offensive tackle is their biggest weakness on the roster. The team needs a Day 1 starter at right tackle and could be in a great position to grab one at No. 17.
So how will they balance and weigh those needs? That is yet to be known. But in Dane Brugler’s most recent mock draft at The Athletic, he has the Raiders going offensive line in Round 1 and then using their next four selections all on defense. Here is the complete haul from Brugler:
17 – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
48 – Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
79 – Andre Cisco, FS, Syracuse
80 – Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State
121 – Keith Taylor, CB, Washington
162 – Josh Palmer, WR, Tennessee
167 – Shaka Toney, edge, Penn State
200 – Tedarrell Slaton, DT, Florida
Darrisaw would certainly qualify as a Day 1 starter for the Raiders as he was dominant at Virginia Tech last season. He would need to make the move from left to right tackle, but that shouldn’t be a problem.
Onwuzuirke, Cisco, Browning and Taylor would all likely be rotational players to start their careers, but it wouldn’t be surprising if all four won starting jobs by the 2022 season. Even sixth-round pick Shaka Toney could find a spot as a rotational pass rusher.
If the draft were to play out like this, it would be quite a haul for the Raiders. Look for them to follow a similar path in a few weeks, addressing the offensive line early and then using several picks to upgrade their depth on defense.
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