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