2021 NFL Draft: AFC West mistakes that benefit Las Vegas Raiders in Round 1
By Brad Weiss
The Las Vegas Raiders have to get their own first-round pick right in 2021, but they also need the rest of the division to make a mistake with their selections.
Heading into the 2021 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders will hold eight overall selections, including the No. 17 overall pick. Over the past two years, the Raiders have been hit-or-miss in terms of their draft picks, and that has led to them improving in terms of their record, but not improving enough to be a playoff team.
Unfortunately, the rest of the division has done well in the first round, especially in 2020, as the Los Angeles Chargers got a franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert. Denver brought in a quality wide receiver in Jerry Jeudy, and the Kansas City Chiefs finished out round one by adding LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire, all solid NFL guys after one season.
In 2021, the hope is that not only can the Raiders hit a home run with their selection, but that the other three teams in the division screw up their first-round pick somehow. As we look at team needs heading into the first round next Thursday, we see glaring holes for all four teams in the AFC West, and hopefully, on the Raiders fill theirs.
Here is one mistake for each AFC West team to make in the first round.