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Las Vegas Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: A perfect scenario?

By Khaled Abdallah

Dec 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels (left), owner Mark Davis (center) and general manager Dave Ziegler talk before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels (left), owner Mark Davis (center) and general manager Dave Ziegler talk before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins offensive lineman Atonio Mafi (56) reacts after recovering the ball against Bowling Green Falcons during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins offensive lineman Atonio Mafi (56) reacts after recovering the ball against Bowling Green Falcons during the second half at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: A perfect scenario?

Offensive Guard. Bruins . Atonio Mafi. 109. player. 836.

We’ve ignored a pressing need for long enough and finally address the need for an interior offensive lineman with the selection of guard Atonio Mafi from UCLA. The “Patriot Way” involves drafting strong and powerful offensive linemen and Mafi fits that bill perfectly.

The California native has been a full-time starter for UCLA for the past two seasons and played both right and left guard for the Bruins. He has a typical guard build at 6-4 and 340 pounds with long arms and a low center of gravity.

Mafi is what scouts call a “tone-setter” on offense and plays with the nastiness and physicality you need in an interior offensive lineman. He is stout enough to hold up against even the biggest defensive tackles which is something we saw both Andre James and Dylan Parham struggle with last season.

There are concerns about his propensity to reach and lunge in pass protection, but we believe in the Raiders coaching staff being able to work that out of him. Mafi has the mentality and physical tools you look for in a power-run scheme and we can see him being a mainstay on this offensive line for a very long time.

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