2020 Raiders 7-round NFL mock draft: Team goes defense early, and often

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 07: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Oakland Raiders looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at RingCentral Coliseum on November 07, 2019 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
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BOULDER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Steven Montez #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes runs out of the pocketl against the Washington Huskies in the first quarter at Folsom Field on November 23, 2019 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
BOULDER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Steven Montez #12 of the Colorado Buffaloes runs out of the pocketl against the Washington Huskies in the first quarter at Folsom Field on November 23, 2019 in Boulder, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Derek Carr hasn’t played great football of late, but you still have to factor in how he played the first two and a half months of the season. The question whether or not Derek Carr is the guy moving forward still remains up in the air. Regardless if Carr is the guy in Vegas or not, Jon Gruden is likely to draft a quarterback at some point.

Colorado’s signal caller, Steven Montez is a work in progress passer, but does display some intriguing traits. Montez is more adequate to make the underneath and intermediate throws, but could see some growth in deep ball accuracy the more he does it. His speed can be a weapon when the defense breaks down as he can make plays with his legs. I wouldn’t expect Montez to be a starting NFL quarterback right out of the gates, but with time in a system he looks to be a promising college prospect.

Montez has started three full seasons at Colorado where he’s thrown for at least 2,900 yards in all three years.

Pros:

  • Leadership
  • Pocket awareness
  • Intermediate throws

Cons:

  • Ball placement
  • Vision
  • Strength

Schedule