Raiders: 5 prospects to watch during 2022 Senior Bowl week

MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: A general view of a flag with the Reese's Senior Bowl Logo on it before the start of the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 30: A general view of a flag with the Reese's Senior Bowl Logo on it before the start of the 2021 Resse's Senior Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on the campus of the University of South Alabama on January 30, 2021 in Mobile, Alabama. The National Team defeated the American Team 27-24. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 14: Linebacker Jalen Pitre #8 of the Baylor Bears lines up during the first half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 14, 2020, in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 14: Linebacker Jalen Pitre #8 of the Baylor Bears lines up during the first half of the college football game against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Jones AT&T Stadium on November 14, 2020, in Lubbock, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

Raiders: 5 prospects to watch during 2022 Senior Bowl week

Jalen Pitre: Safety, Baylor

The Raiders drafted Johnathan Abram in 2019 to be the safety closer to the line of scrimmage, but it has not exactly panned out thus far. The injuries are beginning to pile up, and in terms of coverage, he just can’t be trusted at the moment. With that being the case, Las Vegas should look to find more depth at the position or a possible replacement if they really feel the need to do so.

Baylor’s Jalen Pitre is the type of player that could fit that role if it comes to a replacement. Pitre is coming off a tremendous season for the Bears, where he was named an AP All-American and won a Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Pitre is at his best when he’s close to the line of scrimmage, where he is a great run defender despite his size (5’10, 196lbs). Pitre was number one in run stops among safeties, according to PFF.

In coverage, he can be the underneath defender and middle-of-the-field robber that uses his great instincts to make plays on the ball. The Senior Bowl will also be a good opportunity for Pitre to show if he can play deep, increasing his draft stock.

However, if Gus is retained, he can already be a cover 3 hook/curl player in Bradley’s scheme for the Raiders. And if not, he has enough versatility to provide value in another system. In 2021, Pitre finished with 75 tackles (59 solos), 18.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 2 Ints, 7 PDs, and 3 FFs. This guy just finds his way to the ball and consistently makes plays.

(video courtesy of Prospects)