The Las Vegas Raiders reload their roster in a big way as they look to return to the playoffs in our latest 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders will soon be playing in the freezing temperatures of Cincinnati, looking to advance past the wild card round. 2021 was a success for the Silver and Black no matter how you slice it, especially when you consider what the team endured during the year.
However, this organization knows it’s more than capable of returning to the postseason again in 2022–23. To do so, the team needs to nail the 2022 NFL draft.
Playing in the AFC West with the likes of the Kansas City Chiefs means that the Raiders can’t afford to fall behind. If they wish to become a true perennial postseason team, management needs to address the roster’s several weaknesses.
While the defense turned the corner and became a solid unit under Gus Bradley, there’s still some work to be done. The interior of the line needs some foundational pieces, and another edge rusher wouldn’t hurt. However, another glaring weakness is at the cornerback slot.
The offense has picked up steam coming into the playoffs but still needs help long-term. The offensive line lacks a true right tackle given the fact that last year’s first-round selection, Alex Leatherwood, will likely be the team’s starting right guard next season. Following the tragic developments surrounding Henry Ruggs III, the team might also look at adding another wide receiver via the draft.
So, let’s see how the team can help themselves in making the postseason back-to-back years with this seven-round mock scenario.
*This mock was prepared using Pro Football Network’s Mock Draft Machine.
Raiders reload for another playoff run with this 2022 7-Round Mock
The Raiders need help along their offensive line, in particular, along the interior with Richie Incognito likely on his way out and they need a right tackle. A pick here in the first round would be ripe for an offensive lineman. They could go with Trevor Penning if available, but if not, Ikem Ekwonu should be the choice here.
The six-foot-four, 320-pound tackle from N.C. State would need some coaching, but he has plenty of upside. The Raiders’ run game struggled early on this year and helping to reestablish the power run game long term should be a priority in 2022.
Ekwonu is a mauler and a beast in the run-blocking department, something that the Raiders need to improve. His raw strength was on full display in college as he helped open run lanes consistently.
The Raiders could select a defensive player in the first round but upgrading the trenches should be of the utmost importance. Surrounding franchise quarterback Derek Carr with an elite offensive line will do wonders moving forward. If the Silver and Black could accomplish this by not only keeping him upright but getting the run game back to an imposing level, why wouldn’t they?
Up until a fateful night last year, the Raiders were set at wide receiver with Ruggs and Hunter Renfrow. In addition, the team had Darren Waller at tight end. Instead, following Ruggs’ release, the Raiders were left with a glaring hole and did their best to patch it up.
They signed DeSean Jackson, and Carr also began targeting Zay Jones more frequently. Fortunately for the Silver and Black, David Bell could be drafted in the second round in April.
A technically-sound pass catcher, Bell would be a polished addition to the Raiders’ passing game. If he falls in the second round, Las Vegas must pounce. There will be free-agent options available once the postseason ends, but perhaps using the team’s financial resources to bolster the defense would be a better route.
The likelihood of landing Davante Adams seems farfetched and unrealistic.
Bell might not be the fastest receiver in this year’s draft, but he has big-play ability, something lacking in Las Vegas. He’s physical and isn’t afraid of going at it with defensive backs, often dominating them in isolation. He’s a true X receiver, something that Bryan Edwards was supposed to be, but so far, has been disappointing.
A trio of Renfrow, Bell, and possibly a veteran signing, would give the Raiders’ passing solid depth at wide receiver.
Early on, the cornerback position for the Raiders was quite the conundrum. The team was banking on the development of Damon Arnette after a rough rookie campaign. They were also hoping Trayvon Mullen would continue to come along as 2021 progressed.
In addition, they bolstered the position by signing former Pro Bowl cornerback, Casey Hayward, in free agency. However, only one of these three expectations was fulfilled, meaning the Raiders will need another corner in 2022. This is why Nehemiah Pritchett needs to be the pick in the third round.
Pritchett has good size for the position and possesses length, another strength for playing corner in the NFL. Though he might be a bit raw coming into the pros, Pritchett has the right natural talent that will translate into him becoming a good outside corner.
For example, he has noticeable athleticism and excellent feet when watching him play, not to mention that he’s not afraid of tackling and will help in defending the run.
The Raiders did a solid job last offseason when they reloaded the defensive line via free agency. However, at some point, Las Vegas needs to invest some draft capital in the defensive line’s interior. The edges are set with their starters, Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue, but the inside has been platooned by several veterans, including Quinton Jefferson, Johnathan Hankins, and Darius Philon.
While they’ve been serviceable, if John Ridgeway is available in the fourth round, the Raiders should make him the pick.
Ridgeway stands at six-foot-six and weighs in at 320 pounds, giving him a prototypical frame for a defensive tackle. At Arkansas, he was a disruptive force, totaling 39 total tackles and two sacks, but more importantly, he amassed four tackles for a loss in 2021.
Watching him play, you can tell he has solid strength and possesses strong hands. He also has a decent burst off the line and has shown he can get in the backfield and disrupt the passing game. As a possible fourth-round selection, the Raiders would get nice value here.
The Raiders have two fifth-round selections for now and picking up a pair of LSU Tigers here would help address two deficiencies. The team has Crosby and Ngakoue but lacks additional depth. Clelin Ferrell is clearly a bust, and while Solomon Thomas can play the edge, the team could use a boost. Adding Ali Gaye would be highly beneficial.
The six-foot-six, 250-pound pass rusher had noticeable numbers at LSU. He accumulated 51 total tackles in the last two years, along with 12 tackles for a loss and 4.5 sacks. He was sixth in the SEC with ten tackles for a loss in 2020 and ninth in pass deflections with six in that same year. There would definitely be some upside to adding Gaye given his ability to cause havoc in the backfield.
The Raiders’ offensive line finds itself in a predicament beyond the 2022 season. Incognito is likely done given his inability to get on the field. Denzelle Good will be back, but he’s coming off a major injury and we have yet to see how it will affect his play. Leatherwood has the right side locked down after failing to become a starting right tackle in his rookie year.
Adding Chasen Hines helps to provide some depth and relief to this unit that was devastated by injuries and setbacks. Much like Ekwonu, Hines would help bolster the run game. Pro Football Focus grades him at 70.6 in the run blocking department.
With their final pick, the Raiders add depth to the offensive backfield. We don’t know what the organization will do with Josh Jacobs, he came on strong late in the season but before that, his future was becoming uncertain. Kenyan Drake will likely be back next year, giving the Raiders an interesting weapon.
Drafting Eric Gray would give them an interesting prospect with upside, and in the seventh round, it could pay dividends.
In his sole season at Oklahoma, Gray totaled 412 rushing yards and 229 receiving yards while playing in 13 games. In 2020, while playing for the Tennessee Volunteers, Gray accumulated 1,026 total yards from scrimmage. PFF graded him at 78.0 in the run department, while he received a 79.2 receiving grade.
Raiders Game Today: Raiders vs Cincinnati Wild Card injury report, spread, over/under, schedule, live stream, TV channel
The Las Vegas Raiders battle it out against Cincinnati in the Wild Card round, and here is everything you need to get ready for the game.
Again, this would be a seventh-round pick, so Gray would have low expectations. Playing as the third running back would give him more time to develop, so this selection makes a lot of sense.