One of the biggest holes currently on the Raiders’ roster is on the interior defensive line. Maliek Collins and Johnathan Hankins are both scheduled to become free agents and Maurice Hurst has just one year left on his rookie contract.
The Raiders have struggled to find the dominant three-technique that can both rush the passer and stop the run. Right now, it might just be their most important position of need.
Unfortunately, the 2021 NFL Draft doesn’t have any top-end defensive tackle talent such as Quinnen Williams or Derrick Brown in previous years. However, the one player that is gaining some steam is Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore.
Despite playing less than 800 career snaps in college, Barmore has the tools and traits you look for in an interior rusher. And in a recent mock draft by Pro Football Focus, Barmore was the selection for the Raiders at No. 17. Here is what that they had to say about the potential pairing:
“It’s not a deep class of interior defensive linemen, but Barmore is one of the best interior pass-rushers to come out of college in a few years. He has the first step to keep guards and centers off-balance, and he gets to the top of the pocket with edge-like athleticism. Barmore has played just 747 career snaps, but his two-year pass-rush grade ranks in the 99th percentile compared to recent NFL prospects, which fills a huge need in Las Vegas.”
By the time we get to the NFL Draft, Barmore might have risen so much that he’s not even in consideration for the Raiders at No. 17. But he does appear to check all the boxes that Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden want in a first-round pick.
Keep an eye on Barmore as a possible selection for the Raiders in the first round. He might just be the best pick the team could make at No. 17.
[lawrence-newsletter]