Las Vegas Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: A QB1 at pick No. 7
850. . CB. Gamecocks . Darius Rush. 221. player
The Raiders go back to the South Carolina well by grabbing cornerback Darius Rush with the 221st overall pick to address yet another position of need. The 6-2 and 200lb cornerback has the size that you look for in an elite shutdown corner but there are some concerns about his speed.
Rush ran a 4.59 second 40 and will need to improve that if he wants to be a day three pick but we can ignore that perceived limitation because of his other tools and abilities. He has shown a willingness to tackle and has recorded three interceptions in his last two seasons as a regular starter.
The concerns about his speed are not unfounded but he has great route recognition ability and is a well-coordinated athlete for his size. He has the toughness you want in a starter and has the height to challenge receivers and tight ends for jump balls all over the field.
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Rush has plenty of experience as a cornerback in an ultra-competitive conference and has improved every year until becoming a starter in 2021. The Raiders may look his way if they want a tough corner that may need some help over the top but can battle it out with the most physical of wide receivers.