Las Vegas Raiders: 2018 picks we wish would have worked out better

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 13: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders walks the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Las Vegas won 34-30. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 13: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders walks the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 13, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Las Vegas won 34-30. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
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Las Vegas Raiders: 2018 picks we wish would have worked out better

Maurice Hurst, Defensive Tackle

Heading into the 2018 NFL Draft, there were plenty of draft experts who felt that Michigan defensive lineman Maurice Hurst would be a first-round guy. However, a heart issue was detected during the pre-draft workouts, and he would end up tumbling all the way to the fifth round, where the Raiders made him the No. 140 overall selection.

During his time in the Silver and Black, Hurst flashed signs that he could be a part of the long-term answer with the franchise. There was the 55-yard interception return against Ryan Tannehill, and some nice plays in the backfield, but overall, he struggled with inconsistent play.

Once considered a premier prospect, Hurst has put together an okay start to his NFL career, and will now join former teammate Arden Key in San Francisco. For all his physical gifts, this is a player who should have done more across three seasons with the team.

Hurst is definitely someone that I felt could have been a star for the Raiders, and seemed to be on the brink of a possible first-time Pro Bowl selection in 2021. However, the Silver and Black have revamped the entire defensive tackle position group, and Hurst was not a part of the plan.

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