Las Vegas Raiders: Get excited about the 2023 NFL Draft class
By Brad Weiss
The 2023 NFL Draft class may not bring a franchise quarterback to the Las Vegas Raiders, but some incredibly talented players could end up in the Silver and Black.
With the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine kicking off in Indianapolis this week, it is officially time to start getting excited about the 2023 NFL Draft. Unlike last year, Las Vegas holds some early-round draft picks, including a top-10 selection after winning only six games last season.
This season, the Raiders are in a situation where the best position groups of the draft class match the biggest needs of the franchise right now. Positions like cornerback, defensive tackle, and offensive line have enough talent on Days 1 and 2 to really bolster those groups for the Silver and Black, and they could get their next franchise quarterback as well.
Of course, the NFL Draft has not been that kind to this franchise in recent years, especially early on, as the combination of Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock squandered some incredible draft capital. There have been big wins, including getting guys like Maxx Crosby and Hunter Renfrow on Day 3, but David Ziegler and his staff have to get rounds 1 and 2 correct this year.
Luckily for them, the draft pool is very deep, and they have the draft capital to really nail this one.
Raiders have to decide what to do with No. 7 overall
It will all really come down to what the team decides to do at No. 7 overall, as recent mocks have them going in different directions with the selection. Some have them moving up, some moving down, and for the most part, every mock draft you read has them taking a different player on night No. 1.
Ziegler and his staff did not have a Day 1 pick last season, so there is added pressure for him to get this right.
In our latest mock draft, the Raiders do end up selecting a quarterback, but not on Day 3, where they landed Tanner McKee from Stanford. Whatever Ziegler and his staff decide to do, there is enough talent in this class to really improve this roster, they just have to avoid reaching on a prospect, especially in the first round.