Las Vegas Raiders: Did Mike Mayock strike gold again in the fourth round?
By Brad Weiss
Did the Raiders strike gold again in the fourth round in 2020?
During the 2020 NFL Draft, the Raiders held two fourth round picks, and with both selections, they brought in players that many considered to be a steal. With pick No. 109 overall, a selection they got from the Detroit Lions, the Raiders added another Clemson Tiger, bringing in John Simpson, and All-American guard.
The drafting of Simpson looked to be the end of Gabe Jackson and his nearly $10 million contract with the Raiders, but with Jackson’s contract becoming guaranteed on Monday, this is a long-term play. Many feel Simpson was the best guard in this draft class, so to get him this late was an absolute steal.
Later in the fourth, Mayock added Amik Robertson, considered by many to be the steal of the 2020 NFL Draft. This is a guy who could come in and start right away at slot corner for the Raiders, pushing Lamarcus Joyner back to safety, and making the Raiders secondary that much better.
Next. Added weight makes Clelin Ferrell a dangerous weapon for Raiders. dark
The mark of a truly successful general manager is not what they do in the first round, but how well they do throughout the whole NFL Draft. The 2019 draft class was a special one for the Silver and Black, and based on what we have seen so far from the 2020 class, Mayock may have once again struck gold.