Raiders mock roundup: Las Vegas trades up for Isaiah Simmons
By Nick Ellis
Kevin Hanson, Sports Illustrated
Pick 8: Isaiah Simmons, LB,Clemson
(Proposed trade: Oakland sends 12th, 80th and 118th overall picks to Arizona for the 8th overall pick.)
In this mock draft by Kevin Hanson from Sports Illustrated, the Raiders give up a decent amount to move up a few spots to get Isaiah Simmons. Personally, I believe this trade would be worth it. Out of every player in the draft, the Raiders could use Simmons more than any other player, but he likely will not be available at No. 12.
Looking at the Raiders roster, the entire linebacker group could look different in 2020, as only Tahir Whitehead and Marquel Lee are under contract. Simmons fills one of the more glaring needs on this roster, so trading up for him makes a lot of sense if he is Mayock’s guy.
Pick 19: Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama
With their second pick of the draft, the Raiders add speed that their wide receiver group lacks. Henry Ruggs III is the fastest receiver in all of college football and has received comparisons to Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill.
Jon Gruden would have a lot of fun with Ruggs, as well as Derek Carr, or whoever the Raiders quarterback is next season. Adding a legitimate WR1 to this offense is one of the final pieces of the puzzle on that side of the ball, and in Ruggs, they get a legitimate playmaker.