The Las Vegas Raiders needed to fix the secondary this offseason, and they are using a ton of draft capital to do just that.
It seems like an eternity ago that the Las Vegas Raiders selected an offensive player in the 2021 NFL Draft, that only pick coming in round one. Since selecting Alex Leatherwood with the No. 17 overall pick, Las Vegas has gone all defense, as they continue to work their way through the three-day event.
Las Vegas began Day 3 by trading up for Missouri safety Tyree Gillespie, as they continue to add to a position group that has plagued them in the past. At pick No. 167, the one they got from Seattle for Gabe Jackson, the team brought in another defensive back, this time targeting the cornerback position.
Raiders add a cornerback in the fifth round
With the No. 167 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Raiders have selected Nate Hobbs, a solid cornerback from the University of Illinois. Hobbs is an extremely fast corner and one who is not afraid to come up and make a big play against the run, making him a perfect addition to Gus Bradley’s defense.
Bradley earned his reputation in the NFL by building and coaching the Legion of Boom defense in Seattle, and it looks like that is what he is trying to build with the Raiders. The entire fan base wanted the Raiders to focus on the defense in the 2021 NFL Draft, and based on what we have seen since the Leatherwood pick, that is the direction they planned on going as well.
Las Vegas Raiders quick reaction NFL Grades 2021: Tyree Gillespie
The Las Vegas Raiders traded up once again in the 2021 NFL Draft, this time taking Missouri safety Tyree Gillespie with pick No. 143 overall.
The Las Vegas Raiders still have only one pick remaining, and that will come at the beginning of the seventh round. Maybe they go back to the offensive side of the ball to finish this one out, but the likelihood is that they will stay with the defense, possibly adding a defensive tackle to close out their 2021 NFL Draft.