5 Players the Las Vegas Raiders should avoid drafting in the first round

The Las Vegas Raiders have a ton of needs heading into the 2020 season, but what players and positions should they avoid in the first round?

The Las Vegas Raiders could go a number of different directions in the 2020 NFL Draft. They badly need a WR1, a linebacker with coverage abilities, an interior pass rusher, and maybe even a quarterback.

With that being said, what players and positions should the Raiders avoid in the first round?

Patrick Queen- LB- LSU

The Raiders badly need a game-changing linebacker, but outside of Isaiah Simmons, I do not believe there is one in this draft. Patrick Queen has shot up the board on mock drafts lately, with most drafts having the Raiders selecting Queen with the 19th pick of the draft.

Although Queen has the speed that the Raiders would like at linebacker, he does not have the size. With big tight ends like Travis Kelce and Noah Fant in the division, the Raiders cannot risk using a first-round pick on an undersized linebacker like Queen.

Kenneth Murray- LB- Oklahoma

Murray is another linebacker that has been linked to the Raiders in many mock drafts, including many of my own. The more I look into Murray and this draft class, the more I am less confident about the pick.

As previously stated, I believe that the lack of depth at the linebacker position in this draft makes Murray appear better than he actually is, and in most years, would not be a first-round talent. I would feel more comfortable with the Raiders addressing this position in free agency.

Grant Delpit- S- LSU

Grant Delpit is a great talent out of LSU that any team would be happy to have, but the Raiders already have a number of solid safeties, as well as the opportunity to add a player such as Tony Jefferson in free agency.

I have seen a ton of people list the safety position as a need, but with Johnathan Abram returning, Erik Harris having a great season, Lamarcus Joyner moving back to safety, and the ability to bring back Karl Joseph, why would the Raiders feel the need to draft a safety in the first round?

Jordan Love- QB- Utah State

Whether you believe Las Vegas should move on from Derek Carr or not, drafting a risky QB such as Jordan Love is not the answer. Although Love had a great season in 2018, his 2019 season was far from impressive.

Love threw 20 touchdowns compared to 17 interceptions in 2019. Most people have blamed his injury-ridden team for his decline in productivity, but that is no excuse in the NFL. Derek Carr has lacked great weapons for years, and the media is still calling for his head. If Love cannot produce without top talent, is he worth a first-round pick and a franchise rebuild?

AJ Epenesa- DE- Iowa

I have nothing bad to say about AJ Epenesa and more issues with drafting the position. The reason I placed Epenesa on this list is that he is the only defensive end I could see the Raiders drafting in the first round.

Oakland drafted Clelin Ferrell in the first round last year, as well as Maxx Crosby late in the draft. The Raiders need to give Ferrell more time to develop, and although the pass rush struggled last year, I believe they should add interior help, instead.