Safeties who match the Las Vegas Raiders needs in Draft and Free Agency
2021 NFL Draft, Days 1 and 2
There are only a handful of safeties who will be available come April when the Raiders make their selections in the NFL Draft. There will be however option across the draft, and the Raiders’ free-agent moves will dictate how early (or late) they draft a free safety.
- Trevon Moehrig, TCU ~ 6’1 200 **Round 1 to 2**
Moehrig is the toast of this safety class, boasting the size, speed, technique, and instincts to make an immediate impact in the NFL regardless of scheme. He has the range to patrol the back end of the Raiders cover 3 defense, and also has the flexibility to play man coverage on TEs and WRs.
His only knock is tackling, as he’s not terrible, but he’s not great either.
- Richie Grant, UCF ~ 6’0 200 **Round 2 to 3**
Grant has a chance to be a versatile chess piece for an NFL defense in the coming years. His combination of instincts and effort are best in class, and like Moehrig, he offers the flexibility to play man coverage along with playing single-high safety.
Perhaps not an elite athlete for the position, his tenacious playing style erases any doubt he will a rock-solid contributor for an NFL team.
- Andre Cisco, Syracuse ~ 6’0 205 **Round 2 to 3**
Cisco is the best pure free safety on this list, and he is one of the few safeties in recent years to come out of the college ranks with the range to get from the middle of the field to the sideline against a fade ball. Cisco’s athleticism and ability to anticipate passes could make him one of the premier safeties in football when it’s all said and done.
Cisco’s effort, however, is a question mark, and the two games he played in 2020 before opting out showed a player who wasn’t interested in tackling. Teams will take a close look at Cisco to see if he passes the personality test.