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Las Vegas Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: A QB1 at pick No. 7

By Khaled Abdallah

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 13: General manager Dave Ziegler of the Las Vegas Raiders throws a ball back to players during warmups before a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Allegiant Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Colts defeated the Raiders 25-20. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 13: General manager Dave Ziegler of the Las Vegas Raiders throws a ball back to players during warmups before a game against the Indianapolis Colts at Allegiant Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Colts defeated the Raiders 25-20. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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ATHENS, GA – SEPTEMBER 18: Zacch Pickens #6 of the South Carolina Gamecocks warms up prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on September 18, 2021, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA – SEPTEMBER 18: Zacch Pickens #6 of the South Carolina Gamecocks warms up prior to the game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Sanford Stadium on September 18, 2021, in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Las Vegas Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: A QB1 at pick No. 7

850. . DL. Gamecocks . Zacch Pickens. 141. player

Another position of need for the Raiders is the interior defensive line and they will look to address that need in the middle of the draft. Many scouts have Zacch Pickens as a late-second-round pick so grabbing him with the 141st overall selection would be an absolute steal for the Raiders.

Pickens has solid stats across the board for an interior lineman with 11.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks over the last 3 seasons and has solid physical tools as well. He is well-built at 6-3 and 305lbs and has the lower body strength that you look for in a defensive tackle. His speed is impressive at his size as he ran a 4.85 40 and will likely put up impressive numbers at the combine and pro day.

Scouts rave over his lateral agility which as we know is the more important asset for a defensive lineman than outright speed. There are concerns about his “natural bend” and does not have a reliable pass-rush move though that doesn’t have to be a cornerstone of his game.

If the Raiders hold on to Jerry Tillery then they have a competent pass-rushing DT but still need a guy that can command double teams. Pickens can do just that if he keeps getting stronger and plays with the same violence and physicality that he has during his college career.

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