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

By Brad Weiss

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 need help at edge rusher. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Raiders need help at edge rusher. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

832. . Edge. Beavers . Hamilcar Rashed Jr.. 80. player

Raiders bolster the edge with Hamilcar Rashed Jr.

In the third round, the Raiders shift their focus to the defensive line, an area where they have certainly had their issues the past few seasons. Despite using two draft picks on edge rushers in 2019, including the No. 4 overall pick, the Raiders took a step back in the sack department last season, racking up only 21 sacks as a team through the 16-game slate.

That kind of production is not going to cut it, and it really puts pressure on the secondary, which is not good, to begin with. With pick No. 80 overall, Las Vegas decides to bring in another young edge rusher, adding Hamilcar Rashed Jr. from Oregon State, a guy who can play a solid role on this team alongside Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell.

The Raiders’ offense was able to do some nice things last season, and will likely once again be able to put up points in bunches in 2021. However, if the defense plays the way it did last season, we are looking at another season outside of the playoffs, so it makes sense that the 2021 NFL Draft is loaded with defensive selections, as has been the case the first three rounds.

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