2022 NFL Draft: 2 versatile LBs the Raiders should target on Day 2

The Las Vegas Raiders could draft a versatile linebacker on Day 2, giving defensive coordinator Patrick Graham another weapon.

The Silver and Black gave up their first two draft picks in this month’s NFL Draft in exchange for Davante Adams. While that trade puts the Raiders out of the draft’s first day and the first half of Day 2, there are plenty of options to be had. One of the most notable position groups that would benefit from a rookie addition would be the linebacker group.

Under Patrick Graham, the Raiders’ defense will be a versatile and mobile group, not adherent to a single scheme, but rather, it’ll be a defense that adjusts from game to game and in many ways, from play-to-play. It’s truly refreshing for fans who have been frustrated with previous defensive coordinators and their unwillingness to adapt to the times.

This year’s draft offers some intriguing prospects that could end up becoming playmakers for Graham with the right tutelage. Even Pro Football Focus believes that the Raiders’ top priority will be to go linebacker with their first pick (86th overall).

As of right now, the Raiders are slated to have Denzel Perryman and Divine Deablo as the team’s top two linebackers, with Chandler Jones playing a hybrid pass-rushing role on the outside. It’s a promising group, but adding playing time is far from settled as Graham has yet to see any of them in camp. Let’s not forget that Deablo will have other players such as Micah Kiser competing for snaps.

Adding another fresh face with potential wouldn’t hurt anyone on the Raiders. With that being said, there are a couple of appealing prospects that could fall to Las Vegas during the third round.