Raiders 2022 7-Round Mock Draft: Pre-NFL Combine Edition
Raiders 2022 7-Round Mock Draft: Pre-NFL Combine Edition
22. player. 28. Pick Analysis. TylerLinderbaum. Scouting Report. OL. Iowa
The Raiders need offensive linemen at pretty much every slot, including center. Andre James began to turn in solid performances in the latter stretch of the season, but is he the long-term answer? Here’s the conundrum: Tyler Linderbaum is being heralded as a top ten pick. Some are going as far as calling him a generational talent. If he falls to 22, the Raiders cannot afford to let such a talent slip by.
The Raiders will need to quickly rebuild their offensive line to ensure Carr’s success over the next few years. You do that by picking up a proven commodity at right tackle once free agency begins. Denzelle Good will be back next season, which provides a sense of continuation, along with Kolton Miller, one of the most underrated left tackles in football.
Linderbaum will help lay the groundwork in the interior, as he will not be the Raiders’ final offensive lineman selected in this draft. An explosive athlete at six-foot-three and 290 pounds, Linderbaum excels at run blocking, as noted by Pro Football Focus, receiving a 96.6 run-blocking grade. Considering how much the Raiders struggled to run the ball in the early going, Linderbaum would be an instant upgrade.
One of the things that stands out when watching Linderbaum is his speed and movement, especially after initial contact. He’s able to get to the second level with relative ease, opening up running lanes in his wake. His toughness doesn’t go unnoticed either; he plays with both a high motor and a noteworthy ferociousness, laying waste to defenders on every play if he can.
The 2021 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, Linderbaum, is a bit undersized, but he’ll surely have no issue packing on some mass once he gets into the NFL. Considering McDaniels’ success with the run game, it would make sense to draft a center who’d excel in that part of the game to help establish an offensive identity. Linderbaum is a complete package, highlighted by speed, explosiveness, and substantial strength to dominate in the run game.