2021 NFL Draft: Las Vegas Raiders all-defense 3-round mock draft

2021 NFL Draft: Las Vegas Raiders all-defense 3-round mock draft

With the 48th pick in the second round, the Las Vegas Raiders select  Gregory Rousseau out of the University of Miami.  Many have Rousseau going in the first round so this would be an absolute coup if the Raiders can snatch him up at pick 48.

Rousseau is another prospect that opted out of the 2020 season and the lack of game film may be one reason that he falls out of the first round. In his limited game time, however, Rousseau was a wrecking ball to opposing defenses and had a breakout 2019 campaign with an absurd 19.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks. He only featured in one game in 2018 before an ankle fracture ended his freshman season prematurely.

The former Hurricane measured in at 6-6.5, 266lbs at his pro day and ran a very impressive 4.68 40 for a man his size. He is a prototypical defensive end that has plenty of skills as a pass rusher and the size to hold up as a run defender.

The Raiders just signed Yannick Ngakoue to a two-year, $26 million deal and have two young and talented defensive ends in Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell, but that would not keep them from drafting a player this talented in the second round. You can never have enough impact players on the defensive line and if Rousseau develops into the player many think he can be, then he will simply take a starting role from one of the others. The NFL is a meritocracy and having solid players at a position does not mean you shouldn’t look for upgrades when possible.