Resetting the Las Vegas Raiders biggest needs heading into Day 2 of draft
By Evan Groat
Safety
Even with the addition of Jeff Heath and Damarious Randall in free agency, the Raiders should be in the market for a long term option at safety alongside Johnathan Abram. The safety position has certainly been upgraded, but with talent left at the position group in this draft class, they could dive back in during the third round.
There are plenty of intriguing options available should the Raiders to go that route.
Kyle Dugger, Lenoir Rhyne
Maybe it’s a pipe dream, but if the Raiders could position themselves to move up and snag Kyle Dugger from Division II, Lenoir Rhyne, it could set this defense up to be very good for years to come. Dugger was not highly-recruited out of high school, in fact he was a zero star recruit. He really became a household name among scouts after an impressive week at the Senior Bowl.
With freaky measurables, weighing 217 pounds, having 32 7/8 arms, plus 4.49 speed, a 42 inch vertical, a 11′ broad jump, and 17 reps on the bench, Dugger can be used as a hybrid safety up in the box or protecting the back end.
Ashtyn Davis, Cal
Ashtyn Davis’s story to the draft is an interesting one. He did not receive any scholarship offers out of high school for football but was a track star so was sought after for his services in that sport. He decided to attend Cal University, and after joining the track team, used that as an opportunity to parlay that into a try out with the football team. The rest is history for Davis.
Through his work ethic and love for the game he worked his way from a walk on, to redshirt, to a starter, and in his senior season was named second team All Pac-12. His strengths are his play speed, range, and ball skills (19 PBU’s and 7 INT).
Terrell Burgess, Utah
Another safety that should be high on the Raiders board entering day two is Terrell Burgess from Utah. Burgess is a team guy, as evidence of him voluntarily moving changing positions to safety when injuries mounted in 2019.
As a one year starter, Burgess demonstrated a knack for finding the ball and the ability to play man coverage as well as help in run support.