Day one of the draft, the Raiders addressed the right tackle spot, adding Alabama OT Alex Leatherwood. That pick was controversial to say the least. Day two brought hopes of better value picks along with addressing the Raiders’ next biggest need at free safety. They got both with TCU’s Trevon Moehrig, trading up from 48 to 43 to ensure they got him.
I was a big fan of the selection and the aggressive move to get him. What did the rest of the NFL Draft world have to say?
Luke Easterling, Draft Wire
Grade: A+
I gave the Raiders plenty of grief for their first-round pick, but they balanced it out with a fantastic selection here. After trading up a few spots, the Raiders landed the best safety in this class, even though he was the third one off the board. Moehrig should have been a first-round selection, to the Raiders balanced the reach of Alex Leatherwood with a huge steal here. It all evens out.
Chad Reuter, NFL.com
Grade: A
Losing Erik Harris in free agency opened up a spot for a strong tackler and ballhawk in Moehrig, and the Raiders couldn’t help but trade up for him (not a significant price in this case) once the safety run started at the top of the second round. The back injury he suffered this offseason might have cost him some draft position, but as long as it’s not a long-term issue, he’ll be a starter. Koonce is an active, strong edge rusher of good value in the third round. The team was looking for more depth at that position, and found it. Deablo is a powerful safety, but he was announced as a linebacker on Friday night, just like the Raiders proceeded with Tanner Muse in the third round last year.
Chris Trapasso, CBS Sports
Grade: A+
My No. 1 safety in this class. Will immediately provide a versatile upgrade over what Vegas has at that position. Tall, dynamic movements on the field, ball production. He’s got it all. Raiders need playmakers on defense.
Pro Football Focus
Grade: Elite
Moehrig was the heavy favorite to become the first safety off the board in the 2021 NFL Draft. Instead, he’s the third safety off the board here to Las Vegas behind both Jevon Holland and Richie Grant. Moehrig brings some much-needed playmaking ability in coverage to the Raiders secondary, but it remains to be seen how he fits in Gus Bradley’s defense after playing in a split-field safety defense at TCU. There’s reason to believe he can have success as a single-high safety with his size, smarts and explosiveness.
Eric Edholm, Yahoo! Sports
Grade: A-
Vegas has addressed two big needs with its first two selections. We didn’t love the Alex Leatherwood pick in Round 1. But moving up here to nab Moehrig, a top-25 prospect on our board, is a smart move by GM Mike Mayock. The Raiders needed a center fielder, and Moehrig gives them an instinctive playmaker on the back end who also can cover the slot.
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News
Grade: A+
The Raiders made up for their offensive head-scratcher on Alex Leatherwood in Round 1 with a true first-rounder in Round 2. Moehrig is the most complete playmaker in a deep class for the position. They needed him to take pressure off Johnathan Abram supporting the second level.
Tashan Reed, The Athletic
Grade: B
He’s one of the most complete safety prospects in this class. Moehrig (6-foot-1, 202 pounds) led all safeties in pass breakups in each of the past two seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. He divided his time between playing free safety, strong safety and across the slot. Moehrig was TCU’s special-teams MVP as a freshman and developed into a team captain last season. The Raiders came into the draft in desperate need of safety help. They had to give up a fourth-round pick to move up, but this pick offers upside at a position of need.
Doug Farrar, Touchdown Wire
Raiders managed to absolutely steal TCU safety Trevon Moehrig, my top-ranked safety, with the 43rd overall pick.
Connor Orr, Sports Illustrated
Trevon Moehrig falling enough to get into trading distance was a boon. Despite some health issues, he could help get their secondary back on track.
Mel Kiper, ESPN
Trevon Moehrig should start over Jeff Heath at free safety. He’s a ballhawk.