Las Vegas Raiders 7-round 2021 NFL Mock: Heavy on the defense

Another major position of need for the Las Vegas Raiders is free safety. They brought in free agent Damarious Randall presumably to start the last offseason, but he was released in the preseason, and the team reverted back to starting Erik Harris in the role. Harris is a hard-working player but he is not talented enough to be a starter in the NFL, so an upgrade is needed.

Waiting until the fourth round to pick a free safety is not ideal, but perhaps this move is made in addition to bringing in a free agent to improve the position. Tyree Gillespie is an intriguing player who could be available when the Raiders are picking in the fourth round.

Gillespie has been a starter for the Tigers since 2018 and is an experienced player with nearly three years of experience as a starter in the SEC. The Tigers are usually at the bottom of the conference rankings, so it is hard for a prospect to flash, but Gillespie’s solid size at 6’0″, 210lbs would allow him to match up with physical receivers and tight ends.

There is some concern about his top-end speed which he can make up for with play recognition ability but he may come up short in a foot race. His physicality can help account for a lack of speed as well as his awareness which most scouts seem to think is one of his best qualities. Gillespie does not project as a starter right away but he could be an impact player in the right situation.