2021 NFL Draft: Optimal picks for the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 17
By Sean Basile
2021 NFL Draft: Optimal picks for the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 17
DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
Defense is what Raiders fans are going to be looking for in this first round. Christian Barmore is rated as the best defensive tackle in this class and I think he fits this Raiders system really well. You may be more inclined to take a defensive end with this pick because the pool of ends appears to be richer with talent than the tackle pool this draft season, and that’s all good and well.
But one thing I believe the Raiders are missing right now is an interior defensive lineman whose primary goal is to get to the quarterback. They have Johnathan Hankins already, but he’s a run-stopper. David Irving was brought on, but he’s still trying to reacclimate himself back into football after taking a year off, and he’s a better swing guy between inside and outside anyway.
The Raider defensive line right now is built to get to the passer on the ends, but the interior is built more to stop the run. Barmore solves that issue because he’s made his bones as the top tackle in this class from being that pass-rushing interior guy. The draft profiles have ripped him for not following script all the time.
More often than not, Barmore loves to do his own thing and that could work against him. In fact, I’ve seen many a mock draft where he’s fallen to the third round because of his wildness. But the risk is what the Raiders need at that position right now, and by the time their next pick comes up, Barmore may be off the board. I really like defensive tackle for the Raiders pick at number 17, and Barmore is not any crazier a pick than Damon Arnette was a year ago in basically the same spot.