4 realistic first-round picks for Raiders before the NFL Combine

4 realistic first-round picks for Raiders before the NFL Combine

Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington

It is no big secret that the Raiders need help in the defensive backfield, and they could certainly add a safety and a few cornerbacks in this draft class. Luckily for them, the cornerback spot is loaded in this draft class, and we could see as many as six go in the first round alone.

One of the players that could fall into the second half of the first round is Washington cornerback Trent McDuffie, as he is not considered one of the top-3 at his position group. Still, he is a definite first-round talent, and available at No. 22, he is a guy who could come in and start right away for this team as a rookie.

Trayvon Mullen has still yet to prove he is a true CB1, and with Casey Hayward likely leaving via free agency, the Raiders are going to need to attack the outside cornerback spot in a big way this offseason. Nate Hobbs emerged as a true star in the slot for this defense last season as a rookie, and maybe the Silver and Black can count on a rookie to do the same on the outside in 2022.

Raiders 2022 7-Round Mock Draft: Pre-NFL Combine Edition

With the NFL Combine just a few days away, let's take a look at a plausible scenario that the Las Vegas Raiders might encounter on draft day.

Of course, there are many more ways the Raiders could go in this draft, but these four players play a position of need and could come in and start right away. This is a new regime, and it is anybody’s guess what their draft strategy will be, but overall, any one of these four players would be an upgrade for this roster in 2022.