Las Vegas Raiders: Grading the 7-player 2021 NFL Draft class
Las Vegas Raiders: Grading the 7-player 2021 NFL Draft class
Round 1: No. 17 – Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
If the mock drafts are to be believed, Alex Leatherwood was trending more like a late first-round or early second-round pick rather than someone who would be selected right in the middle of the first. Leatherwood played both RG and LT at Alabama but many project him as a long-term starter at guard in the NFL.
The Raiders clearly felt that many of the mocks had it wrong as they had him as one of their top tackles after the consensus top-two of Rashawn Slater and Penei Sewell. They had him ahead of Teven Jenkins and Christian Darrisaw and perhaps more importantly, project him as a starter at RT from day one.
Leatherwood’s accomplishments are lengthy and they include the 2020 Outland Trophy which goes to the nation’s best interior lineman. Past winners of the award are a mixed bag as pro players but he was also incredibly durable and a three-year starter on the best program in college football.
Some may argue that the Raiders reached for this player but reports came out that other teams, notably the Ravens who draft very well, had Leatherwood lined up for their first-round pick. The Raiders clearly believe in the guy and he has the measurables, experience, and talent to be worthy of this selection.
Leatherwood fits a need and if he is ready to play from day one he could be an immediate starter at RT. If he’s not quite ready for the RT position, he offers positional versatility and can be plugged in elsewhere which is a vital thing for a team given all of the turnover in the position group.