Category: Raiders NFL Draft

Raiders RT Alex Leatherwood named biggest reach in Round 1

Raiders RT Alex Leatherwood named biggest reach in Round 1

By now, we shouldn’t be surprised that the Raiders and the rest of the world have a different way of viewing players. In 2018, they “reached” on Kolton Miller in the first round and that turned out great for the team. In 2019, they selected Clelin Ferrell at No. 4, but unfortunately, that pick is trending in the wrong direction.

Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden made another controversial pick this year, selecting Alabama offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood at No. 17. Most of the draft community had Leatherwood as a fringe first-rounder and many believe his best spot in the NFL may come in at guard.

In a recent piece by Ben Linsey of Pro Football Focus, he explained why the pick of Leatherwood has been considered a “reach” by so many:

“Leatherwood ranked 45th on The Athletic’s Consensus Big Board, where he was listed as the second-ranked guard. PFF listed him as the 40th-best player in this draft overall and OT8. His biggest con in the PFF Draft Guide — adjusting in space — could ultimately lead to him being better suited inside.

Las Vegas addressing its offensive line after parting ways with Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson and Trent Brown this offseason isn’t a bad decision. Leatherwood, a prospect who could have slipped to the second round, just doesn’t profile as the best option to fill that need at this stage of the draft. The Raiders will look for Leatherwood’s length and strength to prove the doubters wrong.”

If you just ignore the pre-draft rankings, there is a lot to like about Leatherwood. He started 41 games at Alabama in the SEC, playing left tackle and right guard. He played at the Senior Bowl and showed well during the team drills and the game.

On top of the experience, he has incredibly long arms (34″) and tested like an elite athlete at his Pro Day, running a sub-5.00-second 40-yard dash at 312 pounds. Leatherwood could stand to improve his technique, but he has now paired with one of the league’s best offensive line coaches in Tom Cable.

While this might seem like a draft-day reach, don’t be surprised if Mayock and Gruden are right on this one. Leatherwood is a fine prospect with position flexibility and the college career many players dream of having.

Time will tell if the Raiders got this one right or wrong.

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Raiders FS Trevon Moehrig named one of the biggest steals of the draft

Raiders FS Trevon Moehrig named one of the biggest steals of the draft

After “reaching” on right tackle Alex Leatherwood in Round 1, the Raiders bounced back in a big way on the second day of the draft. Needing a free safety, the team made the bold move to trade ahead of the Cowboys, selecting TCU safety Trevon Moehrig.

Moehrig dealt with a tight back during his Pro Day and many believe that is why he fell a bit in the 2021 NFL draft. Because on the field, Moehrig’s play warrants a top-20 pick.

In a recent article by Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus, Moehrig was named one of the best steals of the draft. Here is a snippet of Treash’s thoughts on the pick by the Raiders:

“He’s now fully healthy and ready to rock in a Gus Bradley defense that will put him in a position to rack up the ball production. After all, Moehrig was a true ballhawk in the Horned Frogs defense over the last couple of years, making a total of 28 plays on the ball, five more than any other Power Five safety.”

Moehrig will be a Day 1 starter for the Raiders at free safety, with Johnathan Abram likely getting the nod at strong safety. The expectation is that Karl Joseph could back up both spots, but he may even push Abram for snaps, who really struggled during the 2020 season.

Don’t be surprised if Moehrig winds up being a high-impact player from Day 1 for the Raiders and for him to outperform first-round pick Alex Leatherwood. He’s that talented and a perfect fit in Bradley’s defense.

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Raiders grab stud EDGE rusher in early 2022 NFL mock draft

Raiders grab stud EDGE rusher in early 2022 NFL mock draft

In the 2021 NFL draft, the Raiders filled two of the biggest holes at right tackle and free safety. Alex Leatherwood and Trevon Moehrig both project as Day 1 starters for the Raiders and the hope is that the rest of their draft class can find roles as rookies.

However, one spot they didn’t really address (outside of Malcolm Koonce in the third-round) is edge rusher. Despite the signing of Yannick Ngakoue this offseason, the Raiders could still be in the market for more pass-rush help.

That’s why it wouldn’t be surprising if they went in that direction in next year’s draft. In a way-too-early mock draft by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, he has the team selecting USC defensive end Drake Jackson. Here is what Brugler had to say about the possible pick:

“When I was studying USC’s tape during the 2019 season, I thought I found a sleeper prospect when No. 99 kept popping on film. Turns out Jackson was only a true freshman, and he quickly announced himself to the world as a future top pick.”

As a freshman in 2019, Jackson totaled 11.5 tackles for a loss in 11 games. His production dipped some in 2020, recording only 5.5 tackles for a loss in six games. Still, he’s a super athlete who is still incredibly young and the 2021 season should put him in the conversation as a top-10 pick next year.

If the Raiders wind up picking inside the top-20 next year, Jackson could be a likely pick given his overall production and big-school pedigree. Keep an eye on him throughout the 2021 college football season.

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Tyree Gillespie could become steal of draft for Raiders

Tyree Gillespie could become steal of draft for Raiders

Entering the 2021 NFL draft, the Raiders had a massive hole at safety. The team needed a true free safety that could cover the deep third of the field, and they found that defender in Trevon Moehrig at No. 43.

But Moehrig wasn’t the only safety that the Raiders traded up for in this year’s draft. In the fourth round, Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden went up and snagged Missouri safety Tyree Gillespie, who was by far their highest-graded player left on the board.

In a recent article by Dane Brugler of The Athletic, Gillespie was named the pick that could surprise from this class for the Raiders. Here is what Brugler had to say about the pick:

“They also traded up for Gillespie in the fourth. With safety such a problem area, I don’t blame Las Vegas for using multiple resources to address the issue. I wish Gillespie made more plays on the football, but his play speed and toughness are what you want at the position.”

With Karl Joseph being on a one-year contract, the hope is that Gillespie can become the team’s third safety by the 2022 season. He certainly is physical enough to do so but needs to become a bit more consistent in coverage.

As a rookie, look for Gillespie to play on special teams and potentially earn snaps on defense later in the year.

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Trevon Moehrig named best pick by Raiders in 2021 draft

Trevon Moehrig named best pick by Raiders by Dane Brugler

The Raiders certainly had an interesting draft. By most accounts, the team “reached” on offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood, despite several reports that he would be picked in the mid-to-late 20s if not selected by the Raiders. But they also had one of the best value picks, grabbing TCU free safety Trevon Moehrig at No. 43

The Raiders traded up to grab Moehrig, who was easily the best safety available. Not only was he a great value in the second round, but he fills an immediate need and fits well with Johnathan Abram.

In a recent article by Dane Brugler of The Athletic, Moehrig was named the team’s best selection in 2021. Here is what Brugler had to say about the pick:

“Leading into the draft, Moehrig seemed to be an ideal fit for what the Raiders covet at a position of need. But would they have to draft him at No. 17 to get him? Instead, they traded up to land him and his rangy ball skills at pick No. 43.”

One of the best parts of Moehrig’s game is his versatility. He can play in the box, in the slot or as a centerfielder. However, look for him to start at free safety right away as he is the only real option the team has right now. Moehrig was a pick the Raiders needed to make and he should be in a great position to succeed as a rookie.

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Raiders fourth-round S Tyree Gillespie takes most pride in being big hitter, run defender

Coming into the day, the Raiders didn’t have a fourth-round pick. But with the last few picks in the round approaching, they made a move, jumping up to pick 143 to get safety Tyree Gillespie. The move seemed a big confusing considering it was the …

Coming into the day, the Raiders didn’t have a fourth-round pick. But with the last few picks in the round approaching, they made a move, jumping up to pick 143 to get safety Tyree Gillespie.

The move seemed a big confusing considering it was the second time the Raiders have made an aggressive move to trade up for a safety in this draft. Early in the second round, they jumped up to get TCU safety Trevon Moehrig at pick 43. But what Gillespie brings to the table is different than what Moehrig brings.

Moehrig is seen as a single-high free safety, while Gillespie’s tape shows a downhill enforcer and run defender.

Gillespie said when the Raiders spoke with him, they didn’t discuss roles. But when I asked him today about the pride he takes in his run defense and hitting, he made it clear how important it was to him.

“I take a huge pride in that part of my game,” Gillespie said of his hitting and run defense. “I feel like that’s what’s missing half the time so that’s what I take pride in the most.”

These qualities are what the Raiders were looking for when they spent a first-round pick on Johnathan Abram two years ago. Which would suggest Gillespie will be competition and depth with Abram at strong safety. And to hear Gillespie tell it, he sounds more like the replacement for the versatility and special teams abilities of Erik Harris who left in free agency to sign with the Falcons.

“I’m versatile so they can just put me on the field anywhere and I can play,” Gillespie added.

“I feel like you just put me on the field and just let me make plays. I’m a playmaker. I’m gonna make a lot of plays, so just put me on the field and let me do my thing.”

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Top needs and top prospects for Raiders on Day 3

Top needs and top prospects for Raiders on Day 3

Four down, four to go. At least right now, anyway. The Raiders had four picks in the first three rounds of the draft. And they have four left in the final four rounds.

Currently, they don’t have a pick in the fourth round — they traded that to the 49ers to jump up to get Trevon Moehrig in the second round — which means, unless they trade back into the fourth round, they will sit through 58 picks before they’re on the clock again at 163. Then they have another 5th round pick at 167, a 6th round pick at 200, and a 7th round pick at 230 which they landed in that same deal with the 49ers.

With four picks to make, let’s look at the Raiders’ top four need positions along with the top four draft prospects out there at those positions.

1. Nickel Cornerback

1. Shakur Brown, Michigan St
2. Tre Brown, Oklahoma
3. Shaun Wade, Ohio State
4. Kary Vincent Jr, LSU

2. Nose tackle

1. Tommy Togiai, Ohio State
2. Tyler Shelvin, LSU
3. Bobby Brown III
4. Khyiris Tonga, BYU

3. Wide receiver

1. Seth Williams, Auburn
2. Trevon Grimes, Florida
3. Jonathan Adams, Arkansas State
4. Mike Strachan, Charleston

4. Guard

1. Trey Smith, Tennessee
2. Deonte Brown, Alabama
3. David Moore, Grambling State
4. Robert Jones, Middle Tennessee State

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Raiders Draft Day 2 wrap up: Planned attack on defense

Raiders Draft Day 2 wrap up: Planned attack on defense

Priority one for the Raiders coming into this draft was to find a new right tackle. The next priorities all came on the defensive side of the ball. And that’s exactly how the draft has played out so far.

With their pick at No. 17, they got Alabama offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood with designs on him being the immediate starting right tackle.

Their most glaring need out of the way, the focus shifted hard to the other side of the ball, where the Raiders needed a lot of work.

According to Mike Mayock, the Raiders plan coming into the draft was to take that approach. In part because of the team’s needs and in part because that’s how he saw the talent in this draft falling.

“We kind of knew that the first 15 or 16 picks of the draft there were going to be 11 or 12 offensive players,” Mayock said. “And that’s exactly what happened. . . And then the red (second tier) players were 75% defense. So in my mind, to match this draft up as we work from kind of the middle of the first through the third round, there was going to be a really strong group of defensive players. And let’s face it; we need defense. We’re not a very good defensive football team. And I think our current needs met up and matched what was going to be available today. So, in my own mind, yeah, this was going to be a defensive day.”

No need was bigger than free safety, so, of course, that’s where they went next, trading with the 49ers to move up from 48 to 43 to get TCU safety Trevon Moehrig. He will be expected to compete for the starting job at free safety right away.

The consensus top safety in this draft ended up being the third safety, presumably because of a back issue he had at his pro day which says is a non-issue and the Raiders agree.

Mike Mayock said the Raiders worried the Cowboys would be looking to get Moehrig at No. 44, so a move was needed to ensure they got their guy. It cost them their pick at No. 121 in the 4th round and they gained a 7th round pick (230 overall) in the deal.

Their next picks came back-to-back in the third round at No. 79 and No. 80. With those picks they addressed the pass rush with Buffalo edge rusher Malcolm Koonce and linebacker with Virginia Tech DB Divine Deablo.

Koonce has drawn comparisons to his new teammate, Yannick Ngakoue which Mayock agrees with and said he found rather ironic. The Raiders see Koonce as a third down edge rusher.

“Wait until you see him rush the quarterback,” Mayock said of Koonce. “He’s got a real chance to do some things that will help complement Ngakoue. So, now we’ve got two guys that can bend the edge, with some speed off the edge. That’s what we didn’t have the past couple of years, that bendy guy that can threaten you off the edge with speed. We’ve got the big powerful guys, we didn’t have the bendy edge guys.”

While Deablo idolizes former fellow Virgina Tech alum and Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor, the Raiders have designs on him playing weakside linebacker.

“We think he could play strong safety but the allure to us is he can play WILL linebacker,” Mayock said of Deablo. “He can do what Gus’s defense demands at the WILL linebacker position. He could probably match up with some tight ends in our division and do some things creatively.”

In the end, Mayock said the two things the Raiders needed to improve were getting after the quarterback and turning the ball over, and that’s what they were after with their three picks on day two.

Day three brings plenty more work to be done. Their current picks lay out thusly:

Round 5, pick 163
Round 5, pick 167
Round 6, pick 200
Round 7, pick 230

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Raiders follow up Round 1 reach with Round 2 steal in FS Trevon Moehrig

For all the grief the Raiders received for taking tackle Alex Leatherwood in the first round, they are equally getting praise for trading up and landing arguably the draft’s top safety in the second round.

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For all the grief the Raiders received for taking tackle Alex Leatherwood in the first round, they are equally getting praise for trading up and landing arguably the draft’s top safety in the second round.

Many draft projections had Trevon Moehrig as the top safety in this draft. Some had him going in the mid-first round, many of whom had the Raiders taking him at No. 17 overall.

When he slipped out of the first round, he was one of the best prospects on the board and my top prospect in terms of fits for the Raiders’ needs. Ten picks into the round, Moehrig was still on the board. In fact, two other safeties had been selected already.

With the 49ers’ pick at 43 upcoming, the Raiders made their move, jumping up from 48 to get their guy. And it only cost them their fourth-round pick, leaving their picks at No. 79 and No. 80 intact.

Why was he still on the board and watched two other safeties taken ahead of him? Ian Rapoport has the answer. It was medical-related.

This certainly affected his numbers in those workouts. So long as it’s not considered long-term, who cares?

Moehrig has not only long been considered the best safety in this draft, but he’s also been considered the ideal single-high safety for the 4-2-5 defense Gus Bradley likes to play.

It’s a win all around. And whether the Raiders cared about redeeming themselves with this pick, that may be just what they did. Tackle and safety were their two biggest needs. The two positions I had them addressing in the first two rounds, in that order.

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Top 15 NFL Draft Day 2 fits for Raiders

Top 15 NFL Draft Day 2 fits for Raiders

How is everyone feeling? Hopefully not too many hangovers from the wild first day of the draft. As expected, the Raiders went after their biggest need in the first round, nabbing Alabama offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood.

Mike Mayock made it clear they see him as a day one starter at right tackle, so one box on the list of needs is checked.

Today is Day 2 of the draft with the Raiders currently owning three picks — one in the second (48) and two in the third (79 and 80).

They could fill a few more needs on the team today and there is some great talent out there with which to do it. Their final pick of the day is 48 picks away, but they don’t have major needs at every position, so I’ve made it a nice round number.

Here are the top 15 Day 2 fits for the Raiders:

1. Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU

As the best safety in this draft, he doesn’t figure to be on the board very long. In fact, I wouldn’t be all that surprised if he was the first player taken by the Jaguars at 33. If the Raiders want him, they would probably have to either trade up or hope a miracle happens and he is there when they pick at 48.

2. Asante Samuel Jr, CB, Florida State

Many think despite his 5-10 stature, he is talented enough to play outside corner in the NFL. But as a nickel corner, he would easily be the best in this draft. With NFL bloodlines, four interceptions and 35 pass breakups over three seasons with the Seminoles along with a blazing fast 4.38 40, he will be tops on many boards.

3. Richie Grant, S, Central Florida

Grant is widely seen as the second-best free safety in this draft behind Moehrig. And the gap isn’t wide. Grant would be a perfect fit as a single high free safety in Gus Bradley’s defense.

4. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

Probably the best player still on the board at any position, JOK was expected to go in the mid to late first round and somehow slipped out of the first. In fact, he was the second most picked player by the Raiders at 17 in our most recent mock draft database. I don’t expect he’ll be on the board long, but if he made it to 48, he could be too intriguing to pass up.

5. Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU

Probably the best X receiver in this draft. Marshall won’t last through the second round. The 6-2, 205-pounder caught 23 touchdowns over the past 19 games for the Tigers and runs a 4.4 40.

6. Elijah Molden, CB, Washington

Another second-generation cornerback like Samuel Jr. And if Samuel is seen as an outside corner, then the title of the best nickel corner would go to Molden. If they want him at 48, he could very well be there. If he were still there heading into the third round, making a move for him wouldn’t be the worst idea. He would be a steal should he be there when they pick at 79 in the third round.

7. Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State

Though the Raiders may be set at guard at the moment, they won’t be for long. Richie Incognito figures to be in his final NFL season, so it would be wise to get a guard for depth now and to start by next season. With Davis, they would land the second-best guard in this draft. The other was Alijah Vera-Tucker who the Jets traded up to get in the first round. Davis would be a sound pick at 48 and a great pick if he made it to the third.

8. Aaron Robinson, CB, Central Florida

There isn’t a big gap between Molden and Robinson in terms of nickel corners in this draft. Which is one reason why they might not feel the need to jump up and get either of them, but see if one falls to them in the third. But with their need at the position, waiting may not be wise. There is a bit of a dropoff at the position after Robinson.

9. Jabril Cox, LB, LSU

One of the best coverage linebackers in this draft. That’s just what the Raiders need. I love him as one of their third-round picks.

10. Jackson Carman, OL, Clemson

A college tackle who figures to play guard at the NFL level. And, of course, he played at Clemson which is always intriguing to the Raiders.

11. Trey Smith, G, Tennessee

A two-time first-team All-SEC performer and second-team All-American at left guard for the Volunteers. Pretty easy to see him slipping right into the starting left guard job as the heir apparent to Richie Incognito.

12. Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse

If the Raiders go with another position to fill at 48, Cisco would be a great get in the third round. A second-team All-American as a freshman and put up 13 interceptions and 29 pass breakups in 22 starts for the Orangemen.

13. Alim McNeil, DT, NC State

My favorite lane clogging one-tech in this draft. He would rotate well in the middle with Johnathan Hankins with upside to take over as the starter in the near future.

14. Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State

Togiai is intriguing because he’s already a run-stopping tackle, but showed some potential to add some pass rush as well last season, putting up three sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss in seven games.

15. Rashad Weaver, ED, Pitt

There’s a chance Weaver could still be on the board in the fourth round, but if the Raiders don’t feel he will make it to 121 and want to ensure they get one of the better edge-rushing prospects in this draft, getting him in the third wouldn’t surprise me. Especially if they address safety and nickel corner with the other two picks and thus filling their three most urgent needs.

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