Las Vegas Raiders: One draft prospect to target from each top-25 program

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Christian Barmore #58 and Phidarian Mathis #48 of the Alabama Crimson Tide react during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Christian Barmore #58 and Phidarian Mathis #48 of the Alabama Crimson Tide react during the fourth quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Ball State CB Antonio Phillips. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Ball State CB Antonio Phillips. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders: One draft prospect to target from each top-25 program

23. player. 2246. . CB. Cardinals . Antonio Phillips

Ball State isn’t a hotbed for NFL prospects, so you’re looking more at late-day three prospects, but Antonio Phillps could be a nice development cornerback for Las Vegas.

Phillips was a three-year starter and put up some nice ball production with eight career interceptions and 18 pass deflections. What could be an even bigger plus for Phillips to make the Raiders roster is that he played a ton of zone in college.

We know that Gus Bradley runs one of the heaviest zone schemes in the league, so someone comfortable in that has a leg up. And as an added bonus, he is a very willing and capable tackler in the run game.

The competition level will always be an issue with the Group of Five prospects, but Phillips is a longtime starter who appears to have all the ability to fit in a cover 3 scheme. Adding players with great zone coverage knowledge could go a long way as the team makes that transition this season.