Las Vegas Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Madd Maxx gets some help

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 30: A football helmet is displayed featuring the 2022 NFL Draft on April 30, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 30: A football helmet is displayed featuring the 2022 NFL Draft on April 30, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
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Raiders
HENDERSON, NEVADA – JULY 27: General manager Dave Ziegler (L) and owner and managing general partner Mark Davis of the Las Vegas Raiders looks on during the team’s first fully padded practice during training camp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Healthcare Performance Center on July 27, 2022, in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

After beating Denver in Week 11, the Las Vegas Raiders currently own the number four pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and they start by focusing on the defense

After a much-needed win in Week 11 against the Denver Broncos, the Las Vegas Raiders now own the 4th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The win moved them down two spots with the Panthers and Bears losing on Sunday and moving up to second and third respectively.

In this mock draft, the Texans and Panthers go back to back with the top QBs in the draft in CJ Stroud, and Bryce Young, and Chicago makes a pick to protect Justin Fields rather than build up their defense. This allows the Raiders to choose between the two top defensive players in the draft and perhaps stick with Derek Carr at QB or draft a successor later in the draft.

This draft is defense-heavy as the Raiders currently have a bottom-of-the-barrel unit in nearly every category. A solid performance against the worst offense in the league will make the locker room feel a little better but it is obvious where the team needs to improve in the draft and free agency.

So with that preamble and the knowledge that the Raiders need a major defensive overhaul, let’s dive into the mock draft before we head to Week 12.

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