2021 NFL Draft: Optimal picks for the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 17
By Sean Basile
The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 17 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and here are the five optimal selections for them in that slot.
It’s not exactly where the Las Vegas Raiders want to be in this year’s draft, as number 17 in the draft order is right in the middle of no man’s land and more than likely the Raiders will miss out on the cream of the crop prospects by the time their number gets called. That is what you sew when you play for a playoff spot and can’t finish the season strong.
You land right in the middle of the pack and aren’t set up for the top picks. However, there are still tons of picks for the Raiders to make at number 17 that can help them continue to build.
I’d actually argue the Raiders, though not in the best spot order-wise, may actually be in the best spot for the needs they are going to have to fill. Defense, defense, defense, along with perhaps a right tackle is what they’re after in this first round, and for what it’s worth, I’d have to say all of those options can be optimally filled at number 17 in this particular year’s draft.
I’m not a prediction guy when it comes to these things. Draft “experts” are like weathermen and pollsters. They get paid to be wrong. But let me try and see what the Raiders’ top five optimal picks at number 17 could be.
In no particular order, here are my picks: