The Las Vegas Raiders have several needs on defense and here is a 3-round mock that focuses solely on filling those defensive holes.
The Las Vegas Raiders defense really struggled in 2020 as injuries and COVID-19 protocols decimated an already thin unit down the stretch of the season. The Raiders’ inability to generate consistent pressure on the quarterback and their lack of turnovers caught up to them in the final weeks of the season and ended their playoff hopes.
Coming into the offseason, the Raiders knew they had to improve that side of the ball dramatically if they wanted to contend for the AFC West or a wildcard spot and they have brought in several free agents to try and do that. They did not have the cap space they did in the 2020 offseason so the moves were primarily low-cost, one-year deals.
This idea of building the defense on the cheap has to extend to the draft as the Raiders have a chance to find playmakers in the first 3 rounds and lock them into inexpensive rookie deals. With four selections in the top 80 picks, the Raiders have a great chance to do so, and here are four defensive players that fill needs and can make an impact right away.