There are three position groups that the Las Vegas Raiders can wait till Day 3 of the 2021 NFL draft to dip into, and we look at them here.
The Las Vegas Raiders are heading into this weekend’s NFL draft extravaganza with a bevy of holes that need addressing. Though some key positions were addressed via free agency, big picture-wise, others will be filled through the draft. Particularly, the team still needs a tackle prospect to come in following Trent Brown’s exit.
Also, Las Vegas needs another safety despite Karl Joseph’s return this offseason. Those two positions will likely be looked at within the first and second days of the draft. On the other hand, there will be other players that could temp the Raiders when these positions can be filled after Day 2.
For example, many NFL mocks have the organization taking linebacker Micah Parsons at number 17, when in reality linebacker isn’t a critical need. Another position we are all noticing that’s gaining steam is cornerback. It’s a double-edged sword when it comes to cornerback due to the number of talented prospects that will go early.
A recurring theme among many fans regarding this year’s draft is that the Raiders should go best player available no matter the position. All things considered, this would be a critical error on the part of the Raiders’ brain trust.
If Las Vegas were to follow this philosophy, the pick would be a wide receiver or running back such as Najee Harris. This would be a disastrous opening draft day given the fact that neither position is a need. What the team does need to do is pick up a tackle, a safety, and an interior defensive lineman within the first two days.
So what positions should Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock wait until the third day to look at? Let’s take a look.
Raiders Should Wait On A Cornerback
In any other draft, the Raiders would absolutely need to take a cornerback considering how many talented players will be available. Jaycee Horn, Asante Samuel Jr., Caleb Farley, and Greg Newsome II are all very tempting within the first two days. Given their talents, any of these players would likely be starters with the Raiders’ defense.
However, the cornerbacks’ group that Las Vegas currently has does indeed contain upside. Trayvon Mullen, Damon Arnette, and Isaiah Johnson will benefit tremendously from Gus Bradley’s scheme next year. Under the tutelage of defensive backs coach Ron Milus along with the expectation of being healthy for the season, this group should make strides in 2021.
Nevertheless, if the Raiders’ brain trust does indeed want to add at least one corner, LSU’s Kary Vincent could be available during the fourth round. Vincent could come in right away and battle for snaps with Amik Robertson defending the slot. A nice combination of speed, athleticism, and quickness while playing the slot should make him a decent pick in the fourth round for the Raiders.
So if cornerback’s a position that the Raiders can hold off onto Day 3, what are another two that fall under the same category?
The Raiders don’t need a linebacker that badly… or do they?
A talent such as Parsons or Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is certainly difficult to pass up on an opening day as would someone like Kentucky’s Jamin Davis during round two. However, with Bradley coming in, the linebacker group appears to be set. Cory Littleton, Nick Kwiatkoski, and Nicholas Morrow form the best trio the Raiders have had in a long time.
Yes, that’s not saying much, but it’s true given their upside under a defensive coordinator who will use them to the best of their strengths.
If Las Vegas feels that a linebacker is warranted on Day 3, a prospect such as South Carolina’s Ernest Jones could be a nice value pick. Somewhat undersized at six-foot-two and 230 pounds, Jones can come in and help stack the box for the Raiders.
He’s also an excellent tackler having missed only 20 tackles in 216 career attempts per PFF. Speed won’t be his biggest strength but he’ll get the job done in stopping the run, he posted a 69.4 run defense grade last year.
The other poison that can surely wait until Day 3, if at all, is quarterback. Every offseason the Raiders come up in conversations regarding the quarterback position. Recent news came out that the team did its ‘due diligence’ on top quarterback prospects.
Rest assured Raider Nation, the team will go into training camp with Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota as the top two signal-callers. Given how badly a tackle or safety is needed, it would be a waste to use a pick during those two days on a quarterback.
2021 NFL Draft: How top-10 trades helped Las Vegas Raiders at No. 17
The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 17 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and the movement in the top-10 on Friday certainly helped them out.
Nevertheless, if the Raiders do indeed want a quarterback, Stanford’s Davis Mills in the fourth round would make sense. Even then, this would be a stretch given the team’s other needs. Cornerback, linebacker, and quarterback shouldn’t be on the Raiders’ radar until the third day once they have restocked the offensive line and gotten themselves a starting safety.