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2021 NFL Draft: Edge rushers the Las Vegas Raiders should target

By Nico Di Fede

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 31: Defensive end Ronnie Perkins #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs into the offensive backfield during the second half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS - OCTOBER 31: Defensive end Ronnie Perkins #7 of the Oklahoma Sooners runs into the offensive backfield during the second half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /
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Oklahoma’s Ronnie Perkins. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
Oklahoma’s Ronnie Perkins. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

2021 NFL Draft: Edge rushers the Las Vegas Raiders should target

Ronnie Perkins, Oklahoma

A defensive end out of Oklahoma, Ronnie Perkins, is one of the top edge rushers in the draft, albeit less talked about than the others. Perkins is listed at 6’3 251-pounds, but looks a lot bigger, and plays a lot stronger than most edge rushers that are around that size.

Finishing the 2020 season with 5.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for a loss in only six games, Perkins displays powerful hands, good hand-usage, and some speed off the edge. While he is athletic, he doesn’t have the best bend in the class, which makes him hit and miss turning the corner, but his explosion off the snap allows him to catch the tackles off guard and get beaten quickly after the snap.

What Perkins does need to improve on is his utilization of rush-moves, which he shows he has in his arsenal, though doesn’t use consistently enough. Perkins also needs to add counters, if he doesn’t beat his man with his initial plan he will sometimes just play patty-cake with the offensive-tackle.

Another concern with Perkins is that he missed five of the 11 games during the 2020 season due to a failed drug test prior to the 2019 Peach Bowl. Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden have shown they are willing to give players second chances so that probably isn’t an automatic disqualification in their eyes, though it of course depends on the individual situation.

At Oklahoma, he played both standing up and with his hand in the dirt but in my opinion, best fits as a pure 4-3 DE. With his blend of athleticism and power, Perkins is a balanced edge rusher that can beat you with speed or a bull-rush rushing the passer, as well as hold his own against the run, making him my No. 2 EDGE in the class, and in my opinion, a prospect who the Raiders should have on their radar.

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