2021 NFL Draft: Grading how the Las Vegas Raiders addressed their needs

Nov 15, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Jon Gruden (left) and general manager Mike Mayock walk off the field after the game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium. The Raiders defeated the Broncos 37-12. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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Raiders GM Mike Mayock. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

The Las Vegas Raiders had some major needs heading into the 2021 NFL Draft, and here are the grades for how well they addressed them.

For years, experts and analysts have always stressed how important it is to draft the best player available, whether they be a need or not. Personally, I’ve always felt that drafting for need, and drafting a guy you trust, is much more important, and that seems to be the way the Las Vegas Raiders have been drafting.

Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock’s picks have been so controversial, as it seems that every year they reach of a player according to the talking heads. In 2018, Kolton Miller was considered a reach, but he has since gone on to get a new contract and is the anchor on the Raiders offensive line at left tackle.

After the 2021 free agency period, it was obvious the Las Vegas Raiders still needed help on the offensive line, the secondary, and at linebacker. In the 2021 NFL Draft, Las Vegas addressed these needs, with some of the picks coming into question by both experts and fans.

So, let’s look at each of the needs addressed to see whether or not the moves made sense.

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