Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Defense gets an influx of talent
![Dec 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels (left), owner Mark Davis (center) and general manager Dave Ziegler talk before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Dec 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels (left), owner Mark Davis (center) and general manager Dave Ziegler talk before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fjustblogbaby-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F19589190-850x560-d5ac150aaa09017c71125aa74c12150e0be896847e460062b561070ea380fffe.jpg)
Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Defense gets an influx of talent
808. . DT. Trojans . Tuli Tuipulotu. 142. player
Tuli Tuipulotu is a name that keeps popping up on our mock drafts and he is a guy that just looks like a Raider and fits multiple needs. He is a slimmer defensive tackle at 290lbs but at 6-4 he projects as a player that can play both defensive end and tackle at the NFL level.
Tuipulotu is known for his strength at the point of attack and has what scouts call a “natural feel” for reading the game and diagnosing a play as it happens. You can’t coach that instinct and Tuipulotu possessing that is a great sign for his future at the pro level as the game is so much more mental than college.
Some of this weaknesses involve a lack of elite athleticism and bend which could keep him from being an elite defensive end but he could be a top level pass rushing defensive tackle. He is great at penetrating the pocket and uses that ability to stop run plays in the backfield as well. Tuipulotu is climbing draft boards so may be snatched up in the third by a team that is high on his natural ability but he would be a great value pick at 142