2023 Raiders 7-round NFL Mock Draft: Best Player over Positional Need

The Las Vegas Raiders have a ton of needs across the board but in this mock draft, we will focus on taking the best player available.

Depending on who you ask, the NFL Draft should be focused on teams drafting strictly for need or drafting the best player available. This variance is based on the general manager’s approach to things but can also be heavily influenced by ownership and the head coach.

In the case of the Raiders, they drafted last year primarily on need though they gave up their first and second-round picks so we’re not able to make a huge splash in that draft.

This year the needs are clear as they need to upgrade all three levels of the defense, the offensive line, and add some depth at wide receiver. You can add a quarterback to that list as well but most reports suggest that the Raiders will opt for a veteran quarterback to solve that problem with names like Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo thrown around.

Our previous mock drafts focused on fulfilling the needs of the team, but this version is focused simply on drafting the best player available with some exceptions. For example, if a stud running back is the best player available, we know that the Raiders won’t use a pick on that position because they have, at least for now, Josh Jacobs and Zamir White on the roster.

Let’s jump right into our latest mock draft and see who the Pro Football network draft simulator offers up to us as the best player available.