The Las Vegas Raiders added seven rookies via the 2021 NFL Draft, and at least two of them should start right away at the NFL level.
During the 2021 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders added seven players to the fold, going with an offensive tackle in the first round, before focusing on the defense with the next five picks. The defense was certainly an issue for the Raiders in 2020, but after trading away three starters along the offensive line to kick off the offseason, the offensive line became an area of need as well.
Of the seven players, the expectation is that most of them will have some kind of impact as rookies, even the guys drafted on Day 3. This is a team that had a lot of holes to fill this offseason, and they did so via free agency and the NFL Draft, and the hope is that they made the right moves.
Over the last three seasons, the Raiders have invested a ton through the NFL Draft, holding six first-round picks, and trying to get younger on the roster. Some of the picks have worked out, as Josh Jacobs is one of the better running backs in the league, but for the most part, the fan base is still waiting on a lot of the first-round talent.
With that said, there are two rookies from the 2021 class who should start right away, one on offense, and one on the defensive side of the ball.