There are more than a few mock drafts being released every week, and almost all of them have the Raiders selecting a defensive player with their first round pick. Last season, the defensive struggled on all three levels, and while the offense was dominant at times, the opposite side of the ball really struggled.
All told, the Raiders defense finished in the bottom three in points allowed per game, did not get after the quarterback, and struggled to force turnovers. That was a recipe for disaster, as it did not matter how many points the offense scored, the opposition continued to come right back time and time again.
Holding this No. 17 overall pick, there are a number of different ways the Raiders could go, but staying on defense has to be the priority. If a player like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is still available, he would be a perfect fit for this defense, as he has the ability to play all three downs, and is elite in coverage.
Las Vegas will likely use the majority of their 2021 picks on defense, and they get a good one to start the party here in the middle of the first round.