Raiders 2022 7-round NFL Mock Draft after the Russell Wilson trade

I know what you’re thinking; The Raiders desperately need an outside threat, and I went two rounds without grabbing one. Not only that, I spoke briefly about how Raider Nation’s top want, Davante Adams, was franchise tagged and likely will remain content in Green Bay. Why did I wait so long to snag a wideout?

The Gilmore and Jackson prediction isn’t the only theory that helped me shape this mock. A few days ago, it was reported Las Vegas has an interest in Jacksonville’s DJ Chark, and I believe that’s also a move the Raiders’ front office will make.

Chark may not be enough by himself on the outside, especially if Vegas wants to score more points than the high-powered offenses that Kansas City, Las Angeles [Chargers], and now Denver bring to the table. Pair Chark with Calvin Austin, though, and the Raiders might be able to pull up a seat and stay awhile.

Austin III absolutely lit the NFL combine on fire, running a 4.32 40. He also posted some unreal vertical and broad jump numbers, ranking top 3 in both in his position group.

Freak athleticism aside, the Memphis wideout also comes with some refined receiver skills. The footwork is there, the route-running ability is there, and the hands are there. The open field prowess with Austin III shines as much as anything, maximizing yardage when there’s a sliver of space.

The back-to-back 1k yard seasons are nice, but his Deebo Samuel-like versatility should be noted above all. During his freshman year, he took an 83 yarder to the house on a designed run. The following year he was once again able to find the end-zone on the ground, and this past year he was able to make magic happen, taking a little bit of trickery to the house from 69 yards out.

If you’re wondering how such a versatile, polished, freak athlete can fall to the third, there are the negatives. For one, Austin III is 5’9. Secondly, he comes in at 162lb. Given his frame, it’s almost unrealistic to think he can be an every down receiver. As such, some analysts mock the Memphis stud as late as day three.

He may not be a receiver you can feed 10+ times a game, but that’s not what his role would be in Vegas, anyway. He’ll bring the spark deep that the Raiders have been missing since Ruggs’ departure, in addition to the versatility needed to execute some of the wild plays Josh McDaniels has been known to call. Austin also has enough route-running skills to create space in a more shallow area of the field, if needed.