Las Vegas Raiders: Realistic first round targets in the CFP title game
By Brad Weiss
Raiders could target two Buckeyes with pick No. 17
The Ohio State Buckeyes only played six games during the regular season, but that did not stop the College Football Playoff voting committee from making them one of the four teams to go to the playoff. The fact is, the committee puts the four teams in that they feel have the most talent, and looking at the roster, there certainly is a lot of it.
Quarterback Justin Fields could be a top-3 pick, and is going to be key on Monday night, as he battled through an injury to outduel Clemson and consensus top-pick Trevor Lawrence in the Semifinal. Two of his teammates that could be a target for the Raiders are Wyatt Davis and Shaun Wade, who have both been mocked as first round picks in April.
- Cornerback Shaun Wade
Despite the fact that the Raiders drafted an Ohio State cornerback in the first round in 2020, and a Clemson corner in round two in 2019, the position group is still a weakness. Arnette battled through injuries as a rookie in 2020, so the jury is still out on him, but Tigers star Trayvon Mullen has proven to be a CB1 since starting as a rookie.
With pick No. 17, Shaun Wade is someone the Raiders could target, as he was an All-American this past season, and is considered one of the better cornerback prospects in the draft class. Ohio State has produced elite corners, and with the position group an issue, Mayock is going to take a long look at him.
- Offensive lineman Wyatt Davis
The offensive guard position in Las Vegas has talent already there, as Gabe Jackson and Richie Incognito will return in 2021 unless the team decides otherwise. They are under contract, as is John Simpson, a 2020 draft pick from Clemson who played well when called on as a rookie this season.
Wyatt Davis is considered the top interior offensive lineman in this draft class, and if the Raiders need to make monetary decisions regarding Jackson or Incognito, he could be the pick at No. 17.