2021 NFL Draft: Position groups Las Vegas Raiders should target Round 1

Raiders should also focus on the interior of the defensive line

Defensive tackle was another position the Raiders attempted to fix via free agency this offseason, bringing in Maliek Collins from the Dallas Cowboys. During the summer, Collins was all the rave, as he was thought of as an anchor for this defense, but he really disappointed in Year 1 in the Silver and Black.

Collins was brought in on a one-year deal, so him coming back does not seem likely. As the Raiders look to address this position moving forward, they have some solid talent in Johnathan Hankins and Maurice Hurst that should be back in 2021, but looking at Christian Barmore from Alabama, or even Pitt’s Jalen Twyman and Jay Tufele from USC could land in the first round with a good draft season.

Needless to say, the lack of pressure up front on defense, along with the fact that the Raiders had a weak secondary this past season really hurt them. Las Vegas needs to focus on the defensive line in a big way this offseason because they face two elite quarterbacks twice a season in Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert, and as it currently stands, their defense does not stand a chance.