2021 NFL Draft: OTs to replace Trent Brown with Raiders No. 17 pick
By Brad Weiss
![LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 13: Offensive tackle Trent Brown #77 of the Las Vegas Raiders smiles as he goes back to the locker room following warmups before a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Allegiant Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 13: Offensive tackle Trent Brown #77 of the Las Vegas Raiders smiles as he goes back to the locker room following warmups before a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Allegiant Stadium on December 13, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1291088716-850x560-ffefea8f9f64f7a4ed0df2c02bd34e8feb638c2517cbcd02922d8bed6777974c.jpg)
Raiders draft target: Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
When it comes to NFL-ready players, Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw is up there with any offensive lineman coming out this season. A starter as a true freshman for the Hokies, Darrisaw has not missed a single game across the last two seasons and should be one of the first offensive tackles taken in the 2021 NFL Draft.
In Darrisaw, the Raiders would be getting a mountain of a man, as he stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 314 pounds. He is elite at protecting against the pass rush and is a dominant blocker in the run game, two things that are going to make him an instant starter at the next level, which is what the Raiders now need.
With a good predraft process, Darrisaw is going to creep into the first half of the NFL Draft, but with how the draft is shaking out, and all the teams that need a quarterback, he could fall to No. 17. There is a good group of first-round offensive tackles in this draft class, and guys like Darrisaw and Slater can help improve this Raiders offensive line in Year 1.