Raiders go on the defensive in latest 3-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft

The Raiders should target a pass catcher in a deep wide receiver class this year.

The Raiders need help with their offense, particularly along the offensive line. One possible scenario is that if the team signs a free agent tackle such as Orland Brown Jr., drafting a wide receiver in the third round becomes plausible. Justyn Ross would certainly improve the Silver and Black’s offense.

While at Clemson, Ross played 244 snaps in the slot last year and lined up outside wide a total of 228 times. At six-foot-four, Ross has the height that the Raiders are looking for to line up at receiver. His size is imposing, but it also provides a “strong frame” that “presents itself as a difficult target to bring down,” as The Draft Network stated.

In other words, he’s a big man that’s hard to bring down in open space. At the same time, TDN noted he’s more than that, he also “exhibits surprising open-field agility and elusiveness to force missed tackles.”

Ross would be the vertical threat that was missing from the Raiders’ offense last year. At the same time, you could have him man the slot and dominate smaller defensive backs. The wide receiver corps will be thin if the team moves on from DeSean Jackson. Replacing him with Ross would be a sound plan.