Why Isaiah Simmons could fall to the Raiders at No. 12 overall

Raiders Land Simmons

Looking at those teams picking in front of the Raiders, there is a certainty that quarterbacks are going to go in the first ten picks. Joe Burrow, an Ohio native, is the likely choice for the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 1 overall, and Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa should hear his name soon after. Oregon’s Justin Herbert is also slated for the first ten picks.

If Burrow goes 1, Chase Young from Ohio State is likely to go at No. 2 to the Washington Redskins, leaving the Detroit Lions with their choice at No. 3. Some feel that they may trade out of this spot, as they do not have an immediate need for a quarterback, and there are plenty of teams behind them who need one.

The New York Giants pick at four, and need offensive line help, while Miami sits at No. 5, and needs a quarterback. The Los Angeles Chargers also need a fresh start at the quarterback position, and have the No. 6 overall pick, as do the Carolina Panthers, who select at No. 7.

From here, this is where it gets tricky, as the Arizona Cardinals do not need a quarterback, but could get their 2019 first overall selection, Kyler Murray, some help on the outside. Jacksonville needs help on both sides of the ball at No. 9, and you have to think that both the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets will be looking to upgrade their offensive lines to protect their young quarterbacks.

That leaves the Raiders at No. 12, and with a serious chance to select Isaiah Simmons. Of course, the NFL Draft is not an exact science, but based on those teams picking before the Raiders, landing arguably the perfect player for this roster is possible.

The Clemson players the Raiders brought in last year showed out, and adding Simmons to that mix would be the absolute best-case scenario at No. 12 overall. This is a need that must be addressed this offseason, and in Simmons, they would be getting a Day 1 starter at a position group that is a liability heading into the team’s first season in Vegas.