Raiders: Sleepers to target on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft

LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 9: The sleek, silver and black steel and glass Allegiant Stadium plays host to Sunday Night Football between the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers on January 9, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Located on 62 acres adjacent to Interstate 15 and west of the Mandalay Bay and Luxor Hotel & Casinos, the recently completed $1.9 billion domed stadium (actually located in Paradise, Nevada) has become a hit with Raiders fans. It is not only the home of the National Football League Las Vegas Raiders but also the UNLV Rebels football team of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and will be home to Super Bowel LVIII (2024). (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) /

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STILLWATER, OK – SEPTEMBER 19: Defensive tackle Sione Asi #99 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys pushes against offensive lineman Tyler Smith #56 of the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes in the second quarter on September 19, 2020, at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 16-7. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Raiders: Sleepers to target on Day 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft

Tyler Smith – Offensive lineman, Tulsa

According to Football Outsiders, the Raiders were in the bottom half of the league when it came to running back yards per carry, which will have to change in 2022. Josh McDaniels had one of the more successful power run games in the league with the Patriots and will surely want to establish that in Las Vegas.

Tulsa’s Tyler Smith is a powerhouse in the run game and led all of college football in big-time blocks, according to PFF (#75). That is an incredible stat considering this draft class includes players like Evan Neal and Ikem Ekonwu, who are also nasty in the run game.

The pass protection is a work in progress, so he is not mentioned with the top guys in this class, but a player like this in the third round is an excellent get. He could fit in nicely at left guard and immediately upgrade the Raiders’ ability to blow teams off the ball and convert more often in short-yardage.

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