12 players the Las Vegas Raiders could draft in the first round
By Nick Ellis
Defense
Isaiah Simmons- LB- Clemson
Out of the entire draft, Isaiah Simmons is the player I want more than anyone. The Raiders have lacked a game-changing linebacker for years, and they could finally fix that if Simmons is available. Simmons has the skillset to play linebacker or safety, can tackle consistently, and has the speed to play coverage on crossing routes and tight ends.
Kenneth Murray- LB- Oklahoma
If Isaiah Simmons is not available, Kenneth Murray is the next best linebacker available. Like Simmons, Murray is a consistent tackler and leader, and although he does not have the same skillset that Simmons has, he can still play coverage that the current Raiders linebackers lack.
Kristian Fulton- CB- LSU
One of the things the Raiders struggled with most last season was pass coverage, and although Trayvon Mullen and Daryl Worley did a decent job, they could add some elite help in the first round with Kristian Fulton. Although Fulton is not the biggest corner on the field, his skillset makes up for it.
Grant Delpit- S- LSU
I do not see the Raiders adding a safety in the first round, considering they have Abram, Harris, Joyner moving back to safety, and potentially bringing back Karl Joseph. On the other hand, the Raiders allowed way too many deep balls last season and pairing Delpit and Abram together would be one of the scariest combinations in the NFL for years to come.
Javon Kinlaw- DT- South Carolina
The Raiders nailed the 2019 draft when it comes to defensive linemen, and adding Kinlaw could be a final piece to a young, improving group. Kinlaw would add a pass rush in the interior of the line, making the combination of Ferrell, Crosby, Hurst, and Kinlaw deadly for years to come.