2021 NFL Draft: 7-round Las Vegas Raiders mock draft brings major haul

With the 80th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders select Andre Cisco from Syracuse University. Cisco is a productive safety out of New York who helps fill an immediate need for the Raiders in the defensive backfield.

Cisco joined Syracuse as a three-star recruit out of the IMG Academy in Florida and was an instant starter for the Orangemen in 2018. He had an incredible season as a true freshman, finishing with 60 tackles, 18 passes defended, 7 interceptions, and was named Second Team All-American, First Team All-ACC, and ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. His 2019 season was not as successful as he missed three games because of injury but still recorded 5 interceptions and was Second-Team All-ACC.

The NY native looked to bounce back with an even better 2020 season but a knee injury forced him to miss 8 games so he was unable to do so. The majority of the concerns around Cisco are related to those injuries so a medical evaluation will be key but he has the physical and athletic makeup to be a starter if he gets clearance.

Cisco measures in at 6-0, 216lbs and had run a 4.5 40 in the past but was unable to participate in his pro day due to that knee injury. His record of 13 interceptions in 21 games speaks to his ability as a ballhawk and that is a massive need for the Raiders especially in the secondary. The risk is always that his injury problems may crop up again but if he is healthy, he could be a day one starter for the Raiders at free safety.