Raiders 2022 Mock Draft: Las Vegas goes on the defensive early
The Raiders have done a solid job so far in rebuilding their defensive line after losing standouts like Quinton Jefferson and Solomon Thomas to free agency. They have added some veteran pieces in Vernon Butler, Kyle Peko, Bilal Nichols, and brought back a key run-stopper in Jonathan Hankins who was excellent for them last year.
Darius Philon, another standout player who made some key plays at the end of the season, is still available and could return.
Despite the additions, the interior defensive line is missing some pass-rushing juice and that is where a player like Zachary Carter comes into the picture. Carter was excellent in the SEC and started his junior and senior years for the Florida Gators. He recorded 17 sacks and 26 tackles for loss in his last 36 games and could be a fine interior pass rusher for Las Vegas.
Many scouts project him as a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme but has played on the interior quite a bit as well. He and Clelin Ferrell could form an impressive interior pass-rushing duo alongside Chandler Jones and Maxx Crosby on obvious passing downs which in this day and age of the NFL is nearly every single play.
The Raiders have drafted well when it comes to defensive lineman in the later rounds with the likes of Crosby who has become a star and Mo Hurst who was a serviceable talent they took a chance on in the 5th round despite some health concerns. There are no such worries with Carter who has a clean bill of health and has the measurables to contribute straight away in the defensive line rotation.