Raiders: 2023 Day 1 NFL Draft prospects Las Vegas could trade down for
By Brad Weiss
Raiders: 2023 first-round draft prospects Las Vegas could trade down for
Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson
For years, the Las Vegas Raiders have struggled to build up talent at the linebacker positions, something that will be paramount if Patrick Graham continues as the team’s defensive coordinator. Last season, there was just no depth to this unit, so I would expect a fresh group of linebackers to come in via free agency, and the draft this offseason.
Denzel Perryman is a priority in free agency, as he has come in and become one of the faces of this Raiders defense. There is some young talent in the group, like Divine Deablo, but I could also see Las Vegas trading down in the first round and still being able to get their hands on the premier linebacker in this draft class, Trenton Simpson.
An incredibly athletic linebacker who could come down on the line and pass rush, Simpson has tremendous coverage skills and will translate to being a three-down linebacker at the next level. He has outstanding closing speed and is not afraid to make the big hit, making him an interesting player to keep an eye on to fill holes in Graham’s lineup next season.