Las Vegas Raiders: Grading the 7-player 2021 NFL Draft class
Las Vegas Raiders: Grading the 7-player 2021 NFL Draft class
Round 7, pick 230 – Jimmy Morrissey, C, Pittsburgh
After 5 straight picks on defense, the Raiders finally let Jon Gruden have another pick on offense in Jimmy Morrissey out of Pittsburgh. Morrissey is the definition of a Gruden grinder as he worked his way up from a walk-on to a 4-year starter after just one redshirt season.
Morrissey was very durable in his college days, starting 47 games for the Panthers primarily at center but also played one game at right guard. He improved every year as a starter and earned First, Second, and Third Team All ACC honors as well as the Burlsworth Trophy for best walk-on in the country.
The Pennsylvania native is a bit on the smaller side at 6-3, 303lbs but has shown solid strength with 26 reps on the bench press and is the type of player that will not be outworked. There is no guarantee that he will make the team but is known as a smart player and hard worker and that may be enough for him to latch on to a roster spot. The Raiders have plenty of offensive lineman now and will likely add more as undrafted FAs and camp cuts so Morrissey’s next destination may be the practice squad.
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It is hard to criticize a pick this late but this feels like a safe option when it would have been nice to see the Raiders take a swing at a player with upside who dropped because of injury or off the field issues that they have put behind them. Alabama’s Dylan Moses or Florida State’s Marvin Wilson were perfect candidates for this pick.