2021 NFL Draft: Las Vegas Raiders rebuild secondary in 3-round mock

Raiders get an elite defensive tackle in Round 2

The other glaring defensive weakness on the Raiders is their inability to generate pressure in the middle. Picking up Jay Tufele from USC would help alleviate this problem and in the second round no less. Landing two elite Pac-12 prospects in Holland and Tufele would be a home run for Raiders brass.

Standing at six-foot-three and weighing in at 305 pounds, Tufele is the presence that the Raiders have lacked. As a Trojan, Tufele accumulated ten tackles for a loss, 35 solo tackles, and six and a half sacks from 2018-2019.

Tufele would be a disruptive force in both run defense and getting after quarterbacks. Drae Harris of the Draft Network pointed out that in the gun game, Tufele command double teams. This, in theory, would be the missing key in allowing the Raiders’ defensive ends in creating havoc if the offenses have to also account for him in the passing game.

The way Tufele shoots the gap and obliterates offensive linemen on film is a thing of beauty. One on one blocks didn’t really phase him, Tufele constantly dominates these matchups using his hands and impressive quickness. Tufele would be an instant starter on the Raiders defensive line, so far the team has picked up two players who’ll contribute immediately.