Las Vegas Raiders 2023 7-round Mock Draft: A backup for Derek Carr

Las Vegas Raiders 2023 7-round Mock Draft: Insurance for Darren Waller

The Raiders have gotten great linebacker play from Denzel Perryman but have had to patch together the rest of the unit with guys like Luke Masterson and Jayon Brown. Some of that has to do with the injuries to Divine Deablo and Perryman’s own struggles but this is still a position in need of a major upgrade.

Oregon star linebacker Noah Sewell would fill the need nicely and is a star worthy of a mid-first-round selection. He has an elite pedigree and comes from an NFL family as his brother Penei was a top pick for the Detroit Lions and his uncle Isaac Sopoaga was a key member of the 49ers during the 2000s.

Sewell is a box score stuffer from the MLB position as he has 218 tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and 2 interceptions over the course of his three-year college career. Many consider him a freak athlete at 6-3, 250lbs though his last official 40 was 4.58 so he may be more of a thumper than a speed demon. He has the size to take on blockers and a great motor to chase down plays so he can be a 3-down linebacker at the next level.

Perhaps most importantly, Sewell is a versatile player that is a great run defender, adept at rushing the passer off the edge and can keep up with pass catchers in space. He will have a chance to learn under Denzel Perryman and can develop into a leader on the defense the way he has at Oregon.