Raiders 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Las Vegas selects a QB

Raiders 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Las Vegas selects a QB

Round 3: Pick 82

• Tyler Smith: Tulsa – OT

The Raiders’ offensive line in 2021 was abysmal, to say the least. Left tackle Kolten Miller was the lone stalwart in what was an overall horrific season for this offensive line.

The hope is that the younger players who were thrown into the fire will be able to mature and fix their constant penalty issues and pressures allowed on quarterback Derek Carr. Enter Tyler Smith from Tulsa University. Smith is a talented but also raw prospect who has started the last two seasons at left tackle for Tulsa.

Standing at 6’4 and weighing nearly 330 pounds, Smith does possess the size to play offensive tackle at the next level.

He plays with a mean streak and is nimble for someone his size. The knock on Smith is that he takes several risks, and although it usually does play in his favor, it does lead to some costly mistakes at times.

With the Raiders bringing back Brandon Parker to play right tackle, he is a mere patch job on what the Raiders need at the position, especially considering last year’s first-round pick Alex Leatherwood performed so poorly he had to be moved inside to guard.

Smith may be raw, but if available in the third round, he has the type of upside the Raiders should take into consideration.

With a free agency that has seen the Raiders basically avoid upgrading the offensive line to any degree, it would make sense for the Raiders to use their first selection on an offensive lineman. If Smith is available at pick 82, the Raiders should make this selection. His potential is too much to pass up at this point in the draft.