Since Mike Mayock joined the front office in 2019, the Raiders have only selected players in the first two rounds from the following schools; Clemson, Ohio State, Alabama, Mississippi State. The team has, and likely always will prefer prospects from big programs.
However, that could change in 2021 as several of the best defensive players in the class come from “lesser” schools. One such player is Zaven Collins, arguably the best linebacker in the class. Despite playing at Tusla, Collins was an All-American after dominating the AAC.
In a recent mock draft by Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports, he had the Raiders selecting Collins in the first round at pick No. 17. Here is his explanation behind the pick:
“The Raiders defense was a disaster last season and Collins, who was a force in the middle of the field for Tulsa, has the athleticism to be a sideline-to-sideline playmaker in Las Vegas.”
At 6’4, 260 pounds, Collins projects as a middle linebacker in the NFL with pass-rushing skills. His best comparison in the NFL is Dont’a Hightower of the New England Patriots as he can cover, play the run and defender at an elite level despite being over 250 pounds.
Collins doesn’t have the big-school pedigree of a Micah Parsons (PSU) or a Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah, but he might just be the better overall player and the best fit in the Raiders’ defense. Keep an eye on Collins as a potential prospect for the Raiders in Round 1.
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