Las Vegas Raiders 2021 7-round mock draft: Defense gets a boost
By Nick Ellis
![ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text 'THE PICK IS IN' for the Oakland Raiders during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 26: A video board displays the text 'THE PICK IS IN' for the Oakland Raiders during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F04-2F951976438-2018-nfl-draft-jpg-850x560-6ea929909171e4b4d53ac3ee29c906705f0c2d26640fe75b7f408b7a54d56e36.jpg)
Buckeyes . Shaun Wade. 48. player. 812. . Cornerback
Shaun Wade, a five-star recruit out of high school, had an outstanding career at Ohio State, and you can be sure that Mike Mayock will be watching him in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game, a game that the Raiders love to draft out of. An All-American this season, Wade can take away one side of the ball, but could also be moved all-around in this Raiders defense.
Wade mostly plays in the slot, which could be perfect for the Raiders, as they could place Wade there and potentially move Lamarcus Joyner back to safety, where he should have been all along (unless they release him). As well as being a fantastic all-around defensive back, Wade is a reliable tackler, something the Raiders lack all across the field.
Wade has great size and length, can play press or zone, can cover the middle of the field, can blitz well, and has covered some of the best talents in college football over the years. We will see how he does against Alabama’s elite wideouts next Monday, and with a good showing, he should lock up his spot in the first round this April.