Las Vegas Raiders: Ten 2021 NFL Draft Sleepers to know
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Las Vegas Raiders: Ten 2021 NFL Draft Sleepers to know
Justin Hilliard: Linebacker, Ohio State
- Consensus Ranking: #222
Linebacker continues to be an issue for the Raiders as they come into the 2021 season. Heavy investment in the position money-wise did not pan out last season, and though we expect Nick Kwiatkoski and Cory Littleton to be better in 2021, it does hurt to add depth.
Ohio State had a very talented linebacker unit in 2020 and should expect guys like Baron Browning and Peter Werner to hear their name in the top 100 of the draft. But a guy like Justin Hilliard goes under the radar despite being a big-time recruit coming out of high school.
Injuries have been a big part of Hilliard’s struggles while in Columbus, but he was an impact player when on the field. He hits like a ton of bricks and is capable in coverage with room to grow still. He had one of the biggest plays of the 2020 season in the Big Ten Championship when he won a contest catch situation in the endzone with an interception and helped turn the game.
Unlike many of the prospects on this list, Hilliard doesn’t blow you away with his physical profile. However, he has a broad skill set that can fit in any scheme and give the Raiders great depth at linebacker and be a possible starter if needed.