Las Vegas Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Madd Maxx gets some help
. DT. Trojans . Tuli Tuipulotu. 146. player. 808
The Raiders used a couple of picks last year on defensive tackles but neither Neil Farrell or Matthew Butler have been big difference makers for the defense. In this mock draft, they go back to that well by using the 146th overall pick on Tuli Tuipulotu out of USC to help shore up that position.
Tuipulotu is not your classic run stuffing defensive tackle as he is a little light at 294lbs but he has good size and has shown excellent power on tape. He is an active and violent player that has a great spin move and displays good footwork when rushing from the interior.
The Trojan defensive lineman does not generally excel as a pass rusher but is in the midst of an 11.5 sack season in 11 games. 3 of those sacks came in one game against Washington state but he has 4 games with multiple sacks this year.
Tuipulotu can give the Raiders interior pass rush a bit of a spark and adds some nice athleticism and power to a unit that has not been very deep. He can immediately replace Clelin Ferrell as that third or fourth defensive tackle and can play on the outside as well on occasion.