Raiders 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Las Vegas selects a QB
By Alex Perl
Raiders 7-round 2022 NFL Mock Draft: Las Vegas selects a QB
Round 7: Pick 224
- Christopher Allen: Alabama – DE
Did you really think we could do a Raider mock draft without an Alabama pick?
All jokes aside, the situation if available for the Raiders here could be a good one.
Christopher Allen played in only one game in 2021, which resulted in injury and missing the rest of the season. His 2020 season was spectacular, however. Allen earned second-team All-SEC honors that year and led the conference with 13 tackles for loss to go along with six sacks.
Allen’s rehab on his injured foot has gone particularly well, and his ability to get to the quarterback while providing speed to stop the run is ideal for a team that needs speed.
He played outside linebacker at Alabama but figures to be a defensive end at the next level, or an outside linebacker used in pass-rushing situations in a 3-4 system if not selected here in Vegas.
Allen has an upside that is reminiscent of last year’s third-round pick in Malcolm Koonce, who when used showed that he had potential to have an impact on games.
This seems to be the case with Allen as well, who would be a nice complement to Chandler Jones or Maxx Crosby when used in situational downs when one of the two is not in the game (which will not be very often).
If the chance to take someone with this sort of potential presents itself late in the draft, this would make total sense for the Raiders. Allen has day one ability, his injury is the only setback. And patience is always a virtue when it comes to waiting on talent like this, especially so late in the draft.