2021 NFL Draft: 3 ideal picks at No. 17 for the Las Vegas Raiders
Christian Darrisaw, OT – Virginia Tech
The Raiders need a tackle, it’s no secret, as they traded away Trent Brown this offseason. With an incredibly strong tackle class in 2021, a blue-chip talent like Christian Darrisaw can slip a little when teams attempt to attack other positions of need, hoping they can get a starting caliber tackle in round 2 or even 3.
Darrisaw would have to swap to the right side and that transition has proven tough for young tackles in the past. However, when it comes to pure talent at the tackle spot, few bring the kind of skill set that Darrisaw does.
Darrisaw would instantly be a starting-caliber offensive lineman for the Raiders zone scheme. He has the athleticism and footspeed to work in space and close the distance between him and smaller, shiftier defenders.
In pass protection, Darrisaw translates his athleticism to great footwork in his vertical sets to defeat speed rushers. His hand placement and anchor staves off power rushers and inside moves as well.
The one knock on Darrisaw is that he can be too finessed based and doesn’t show off a mean-streak. Maybe time with Denzelle Good and Richie Incognito would inject some attitude in Darrisaw’s game.