Las Vegas Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Super Bowl LVII edition

Las Vegas Raiders 7-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Super Bowl LVII edition

146. Brenton Cox Jr. LB/EDGE Florida

We get back to the defensive side of the ball and particularly the defensive line with the selection of linebacker Brenton Cox Jr. out of Florida. Cox started at Georgia as a freshman and saw limited action then transferred to Florida for the next three years of his college career.

The Georgia native played outside linebacker for the Gators but spent a lot of time with his hand in the dirt as an edge rusher. He has shown some pass coverage ability but he appears to be at his best when rushing the passer and playing at the line of scrimmage.

In three years with the Gators, Cox recorded 118 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss 13.5 sacks, and seven passes defended to show off the versatility he brings to the game. He has a solid tweener build at 6-3 and 254 pounds in his forty time of 4.71 seconds is impressive for an edge rusher but not so much for a coverage linebacker.

The Raiders would be well suited to bring him in as a situational pass rusher and depth piece at linebacker because of his hefty height and weight. We could see Cox contribute immediately as a third linebacker in short-yardage situations or as an additional pass rusher to spell Maxx Crosby or Chandler Jones.