Raiders 2022 7-round NFL Mock Draft after the Russell Wilson trade
Bringing it home with the last pick for Las Vegas in this draft, the Nevada tight end brings his talents to Nevada.
The Las Vegas Raiders’ new head coach Josh McDaniels has discussed the idea the implementing a dual tight end set, and Cole Turner is the perfect rotational piece of that pie.
Listed as a towering 6’6, Turner brings a lot of height and he knows how to take advantage of that. This is something that can benefit the Raiders in the red zone, where they have been particularly miserable.
In Turner’s final two years at Nevada, he was able to punch it in the end-zone 19 times. Not all of this was at tight end, either. Turner was often spotted lined up as a receiver, with the route-running ability to have success. Being a great athlete, there’s no problem with making catches away from his body you don’t typically see tight ends make, either.
Don’t think I’ve forgotten the always-reliable Foster Moreau because I certainly haven’t. Turner is just a different type of tight end; One that can be used in a dual tight end formation to be an instant mismatch in the passing game. While Moreau is surely someone you can count on to make a huge catch, he isn’t exactly someone you can count on to create space. Turner is.
Additionally, adding Turner to the roster makes McDaniels be able to effectively run three tight end sets, specifically in the red zone. The Nevada alumni isn’t the greatest blocker in the world, but his presence keeps the defense honest knowing he’s such a threat as a receiver.
All in all, Turner is the perfect addition to wrap this draft up, as he gives the offense so many new looks they can now run effectively. Defense wins championships, this is true, but scoring is still the name of the game.
If you can’t outscore your opponent, you don’t win, and you need ample ways to keep up when you’re facing Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and now Russell Wilson twice a year.