2021 NFL Draft: Las Vegas Raiders land elite LB in 7-round mock

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: General Manager Mike Mayock of the Las Vegas Raiders interviews during the first day of the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 25: General Manager Mike Mayock of the Las Vegas Raiders interviews during the first day of the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
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Raiders bolster the secondary here. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Raiders bolster the secondary here. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders add Richie Grant to the defensive backfield

With their second-round pick, selection No. 49 overall, the Raiders now shift their focus to the secondary and get a guy who some have mocked to be a first-round pick in Richie Grant. This is a kid who flat-out dominated during the Senior Bowl festivities, and with Las Vegas, he would be someone who could start right away.

In 2019, the Raiders selected Johnathan Abram with one of their three first-round picks, and after flashing some talent as a rookie, he really had a rough go of it in his second season. After missing most of 2019 with injuries, Abram was really a rookie last season, so some will give him a pass this year, but he has to step up in 2021.

In Grant, the Raiders get the perfect complement to Abram, giving them two very young, and very talented players at the safety position for years to come. Gus Bradley is a genius when it comes to working with the defensive backs, and when you add Trayvon Mullen at cornerback to the mix, there is a core back there that could be good for a very long time.

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