Las Vegas Raiders: Realistic first round targets in the CFP title game

Three Crimson Tide players to keep an eye on

The Crimson Tide were the best team in college football this season, garnering the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff. Their last time out, Alabama throttled No. 4 Notre Dame, showing incredible skill on both sides of the ball, and are going to be very hard to beat tonight in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

With talent on offense and defense, including multiple first rounders, here are three the Raiders could target in round one in April.

• Wide Receiver Jaylen Waddle

The Raiders are likely to target the defensive side of the ball with their early round picks, but you can never count Gruden out in terms of adding offensive talent. Jaylen Waddle is widely considered a top wideout in this draft class, and despite the fact they drafted teammate Ruggs in the first round of 2020, he is definitely someone that would intrigue Gruden.

Waddle battled through an ankle injury this season, but is expected to return for the title game. The Raiders have two decisions to make at wideout in terms of their veterans, as Tyrell Williams is due a lot of money with no cap penalty if cut, and Nelson Agholor is coming off a career-year, so once again, we will see how money impacts the picks in April.

• Linebacker Dylan Moses

The linebacker position is one the Raiders tried to address via free agency last season, bringing in Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski. While Kwiatkoski did a terrific job in Year 1 in the Silver and Black, Littleton struggled and was an actual liability at times.

Alabama linebacker Dylan Moses is one of only a few first-round linebackers and is a player who plays sideline to sideline. He would be a nice fit within this Raiders defense, but with Nicholas Morrow, Kwiatkoski, Littleton, and Raekwon McMillan returning, they may pass on the position group in round one.

• Defensive Tackle Christian Barmore

It is no big secret that the Raiders need help up front along the defensive line, as the free agent addition of Maliek Collins did not work out to plan this past season. Collins was basically a no-show all season long, and in the end, it led to the Raiders once again not being able to get after the quarterback.

Barmore is a guy who can get after the quarterback, and would be a nice complement to Maurice Hurst. Las Vegas needs to be better upfront on defense next season, especially with how bad the secondary can be, and Barmore is someone who could hear his name called in the first round in April.

Mayock loves to pluck players from big-time schools with his draft picks, and this game is loaded with quality NFL talent. Could one of these five be the pick at No. 17? Only time will tell, but might as well kick back and get an early look at players who could be wearing the Silver and Black in 2021.