Las Vegas Raiders: Examining the latest 2021 NFL Mock Drafts
![LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 29: An Oakland Raiders flag is shown during the team's 2017 NFL Draft event at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on April 29, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. National Football League owners voted in March to approve the team's application to relocate to Las Vegas. The Raiders are expected to begin play no later than 2020 in a planned 65,000-seat domed stadium to be built in Las Vegas at a cost of about USD 1.9 billion. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 29: An Oakland Raiders flag is shown during the team's 2017 NFL Draft event at the Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign on April 29, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. National Football League owners voted in March to approve the team's application to relocate to Las Vegas. The Raiders are expected to begin play no later than 2020 in a planned 65,000-seat domed stadium to be built in Las Vegas at a cost of about USD 1.9 billion. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)](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-2F2018-2F08-2F674862834-850x560-ac6fdfc0bdbd9ede66398ab28b804d199d4c390cde6c46611cf7e6b259e5625d.jpg)
Steve Palazzolo – Pro Football Focus
Pick: Christian Barmore, IDL Alabama
I’m always intrigued to see PFF’s mock drafts, given how heavy they are on analytics and how they are very willing to completely go against common thought. For Las Vegas, PPF’s Steve Palazzolo continued the trend of defensive line help but went with the interior by mocking Alabama’s Christian Barmore.
The Raiders had perhaps the worst interior defensive line in the league from a pass-rushing standpoint, and if you watch the college football playoff, Barmore looked like he could immediately change that. He is big, fast, and athletic, and would team well with the likes of Maurice Hurst and Johnathan Hankins on the inside.
"“It’s not a deep class of interior defensive linemen, but Barmore is one of the best interior pass-rushers to come out of college in a few years. He has the first step to keep guards and centers off-balance, and he gets to the top of the pocket with edge-like athleticism.”"
Palazzolo also stated that according to PFFs grading, Barmore’s two-year pass rush grade ranked in the 99TH percentile compared to recent NFL prospects. If Las Vegas decides they want to improve their pass rush from the inside instead of the edge, Barmore makes the most sense.
Next. Las Vegas Raiders: Strong 2021 tackle class puts Trent Brown on hot seat. dark
So there you have it, some of the bigger mock drafts out there, and where the Raiders are likely to go with the No. 17 overall pick. As we get closer to the draft, after the Senior Bowl and the workouts, we will continue to get more information on these prospects, and who may don the Silver and Black in 2021.