The Raiders selected seven players in the 2020 NFL Draft, ending their selecting in the fourth round, and all seven should make an impact as rookies.
Once again holding multiple first round picks, Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock had the ammunition once again to revamp the team’s roster. With those two first round picks, Mayock addressed arguably the two biggest needs on the team, adding a true WR1 at the top of the depth chart, and a cornerback that could possibly start opposite Trayvon Mullen next season.
As he did in 2019, Mayock hit home runs after the first round as well, selecting Lynn Bowden Jr. and Bryan Edwards back-to-back in the third round, and closing their third round haul with Clemson linebacker Tanner Muse. In the fourth round, Mayock landed Clemson All-American guard John Simpson, before selecting the steal of the draft, Amik Robertson from Lousiana Tech.
Overall, Mayock added extremely talented players at positions of need, and the Silver and Black go into the 2020 season with more firepower than ever.
For their efforts, the Raiders received a high grade from NFL Mocks.
NFL Mocks gives the Raiders an overall grade of “A”
Sayre Bedinger from NFL Mocks recently graded out the 2020 NFL Draft for all 32 teams, and the Raiders received incredible high marks. From Henry Ruggs III to Amik Robertson, the Raiders draft haul was filled with playmakers, and for their efforts, the organization received an “A” from Bedinger.
Bedinger liked that the team added weapons for Derek Carr, and how they completed their revamping of the linebacker room in the selection of Muse. Simpson is a guy who could step in and start for Gabe Jackson as early as next season, and he actually rated that as the possible steal of the draft.
The accessment from Bedinger was a solid one, as he was able to see that the team addressed their needs. Ruggs is a guy who is going to change this offense in a big way, and with the entire offensive line coming back, Carr should have the time in the pocket to make big plays downfield as the Raiders play their first season in Vegas.
It remains to be seen what the actual impact this rookie class will have in 2020, but one thing is for sure, Mayock continues to work magic not only in the first round, but also in the middle rounds. Guys like Simpson and Robertson in the fourth round are steals, and when you look at the class as a whole, all seven should make an impact as rookies this season.