We are only four weeks into the 2020 NFL season, but it’s never too early to look ahead to the 2021 NFL Draft. As of now, the Raiders would own the No. 16 pick in the first round, according to Tankathon.
The needs for the Raiders entering the offseason seem quite clear. They need to continue to upgrade their defense. On offense, they are essentially set, unless you want to make the case for a quarterback. Otherwise, we are all in agreement that they will likely spend most of the offseason improving their defense.
But what position could the team potentially target inside the top-20 of the NFL Draft? In a recent mock draft by Luke Easterling of the Draft Wire, he has the Raiders selecting Georgia cornerback Tyson Campbell. Take a look at why he believes Campbell would be a great fit in their secondary:
“The Raiders have invested premium picks at corner in recent drafts, but that shouldn’t keep them from adding another top-shelf cover man here. Campbell has a tall frame, long arms, and is already flashing the kind of shut-down ability this season that NFL teams will love.”
Campbell is an impressive athlete with great size and physicality. However, he projects as an outside cornerback in the NFL. The Raiders already have two (hopeful) long-term starters on the outside on the roster and Trayvon Mullen and Damon Arnette. But you can never have too many athletic cornerbacks on the roster.
If the Raiders do wind up selecting inside the top-20, don’t be surprised if they look to upgrade the pass rush. Maliek Collins’ contract expires at the end of the year and Maurice Hurst is entering the final year of his rookie contract. That appears to be a spot that could use an upgrade this offseason rather than another outside cornerback.
While Campbell would be an interesting selection, the Raiders appear far more likely to address their defensive line than their secondary in the first round.
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