Raiders potential draft picks to watch in 2021-22 College Football Playoff
By Brad Weiss
Raiders potential draft picks to watch in the 2021-22 College Football Playoff
No. 4 Cincinnati Bearcats
Ahmad Gardner, Cornerback
It is no big secret that the Raiders need cornerback help, as they recently cut former first-round pick, Damon Arnette. Sure, Casey Hayward Jr. has been outstanding in his first season in the Silver and Black, and Trayvon Mullen is solid, but there is a serious lack of depth on the outside.
In Ahmad Gardner, they get a long-term solution to pair with Mullen, and even if they bring Hayward back for another year, this pick would make sense. He is one of the elite corners in this class but should be available if the Raiders stay in the middle of the first round.
Myjai Sanders, Defensive End
With the emergence of Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue as a dominant duo this season, the edge rusher spot is not a huge need right now. We saw flashes from Malcolm Koonce in limited action this season, and Carl Nassib is a good player as well, even if he is a bit overpriced.
In the second round, the Raiders could be able to get Myjai Sanders, a dominant edge rusher for the Bearcats who plays with a chip on his shoulder. Sanders reminds me a lot of Crosby with how he attacks the game and would be a fan favorite in Las Vegas.
Alec Pierce, Wide Receiver
Turning our attention to the offensive side of the ball, the Raiders obviously need wide receiver help, and they could pick one in the first round, and then later on. Alec Pierce is more of a Day 3 pick, but he is also an exciting playmaker and one who could fill a depth role within the depth chart at wideout in 2022.