The Las Vegas Raiders have big needs going into the 2023 NFL Draft, and in our full first-round mock, they trade down to fill one.
The 2023 NFL Draft is right around the corner, and for the Las Vegas Raiders, this will prove to be one of the more important drafts in recent memory. The Silver and Black will see general manager David Ziegler make his first Day 1 pick, as well as his first second-round selection, and he must make sure he gets some instant starting power with those picks.
Here, we look at what the first round could look like this April.
2023 NFL mock draft: Raiders trade down twice in full first-round mock
We start our 2023 first-round mock with a bang, as the Indianapolis Colts trade up with the Chicago Bears for the first overall pick. The word out of Chicago is that they are going to roll with Justin Fields as their quarterback, and moving back only a few spots enables them to get back some extra draft capital, allowing the Colts to get their new franchise quarterback.
Looking at this draft class, the No. 1 QB is up for debate, and as we work through the process, it does not seem like a two-man race anymore. However, Bryce Young, despite his size gets taken No. 1 overall by the Colts, as they start a new era of football under new head coach Shane Steichen.
It does not take long for the next quarterback to come off the board, as Ohio State star CJ Stroud heads to the AFC South as well. Stroud goes No. 2 overall to the Houston Texans, a franchise desperate for a new quarterback, and one who has a new head coach as well in DeMeco Ryans.
Stroud is considered by many to be the most accurate passer in this draft class and had a decorated career with the Buckeyes. He is going to be an excellent NFL quarterback and the best signal-caller in Houston since Deshaun Watson.
2023 NFL mock draft: Raiders trade down twice in full first-round mock
The Arizona Cardinals just brought in a defensive-minded head coach in Jonathan Gannon, who recently served as the defensive coordinator in Philadelphia. With his first pick as a head coach, Gannon gets not only the best defensive player but possibly the best overall prospect in this draft class in Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr.
Trading away the No. 1 overall pick brings the Bears a host of draft capital, as well as the No. 4 overall pick, which they use on Clemson star edge rusher, Myles Murphy. Chicago has a lot of holes to fill on their roster, so utilizing the top pick to get more selections makes a lot of sense, as does Murphy for their defense.
The news surrounding Jalen Carter is very alarming, but by the time the 2023 NFL Draft rolls around, we will get a better idea of just how it is going to affect his draft status. For now, Carter remains a top-5 pick in the draft, and in Seattle, he becomes an anchor on a new-look defense tasked with getting back to the playoffs next season.
The Detroit Lions hold two first-round picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, and at pick No. 6 overall, the one they got from the Los Angeles Rams, they get the best defensive back in this draft class. Christian Gonzalez is turning a lot of heads this draft season, and after seeing Detroit struggle so badly on defense last season, that side of the ball should be the priority this off-season.
2023 NFL mock draft: Raiders trade down twice in full first-round mock
Here is where the fun starts for the Las Vegas Raiders, who trade down from No. 7 to No. 9, picking up the Carolina Panthers’ first-round pick, pick No. 61 overall in the second round, as well as a 2024 second-round selection. With the pick, Carolina goes with Florida star quarterback Anthony Richardson, a player many in Raider Nation hope to be in the Silver and Black next season.
The Atlanta Falcons have their future quarterback in Desmond Ridder, so the belief is that they will not be in play for some of the big-name signal-callers in this draft class. Instead, Atlanta turns their attention to the other side of the ball, adding Joey Porter Jr. to a defensive backfield that struggled in a big way last season.
Again, the Las Vegas Raiders pass on one of the key quarterbacks in this draft class, trading down with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay sends pick No. 19, pick No. 50 in 2023, as well as their first-round pick in 2024 to get Will Levis, a strong-armed quarterback from Kentucky that some consider having the highest ceiling of all the QBs in this class.
Rounding out the top 10 picks in the 2023 NFL Draft are the Philadelphia Eagles, who also hold two first-round selections this April. Devon Witherspoon is the pick here, as Philadelphia could be losing both James Bradberry and CJ Gardner-Johnson from their secondary due to free agency this offseason.
2023 NFL mock draft: Raiders trade down twice in full first-round mock
The Tennessee Titans selected Malik Willis in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and all signs point to them handing him the keys to the franchise in his second season. At pick No. 11, Tennessee gets him an elite weapon on the outside, selecting Quentin Johnston from TCU, who many consider the best wideout in this draft class.
With pick No. 2 overall, the Houston Texans added a franchise quarterback in CJ Stroud, and here at No. 12, they get him a weapon that he can utilize from Day 1. Jordan Addison from USC would give Stroud a true WR1 as a rookie, allowing both players to grow and develop a rapport early in their NFL careers.
The New York Jets still have to figure out what they want to do at the quarterback position, as they are rumored to be in on both Aaron Rodgers and Derek Carr. No matter who they bring in, the Jets need help along the offensive line, and Paris Johnson Jr. from Ohio State should be the first offensive tackle off the board.
Staying in the AFC East, the New England Patriots hold the No. 14 overall pick this April, and they go the offensive tackle route as well. Broderick Jones won a lot of games as a starter for the Georgia Bulldogs, and if the Pats are to stick with Mac Jones at quarterback, they need to bolster the offensive line in front of him.
2023 NFL mock draft: Raiders trade down twice in full first-round mock
It seems like the Green Bay Packers will be moving on from Aaron Rodgers this offseason, clearing the way for Jordan Love to take over as the starting quarterback. One of the best ways to help a young quarterback is to have an elite defense, and by selecting Tyree Wilson at No. 15, The Pack instantly gets better coming off the edge.
The Washington Commanders are a team that will be interesting to watch next season, as they turn the franchise over to Sam Howell. Like Love, Howell is going to need a bolstered defense if he is to see success on the other side of the ball, and Cam Smith is a cornerback who could end up going within the first ten picks.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will turn to Kenny Pickett full-time at quarterback next season, and he showed enough down the stretch to warrant their faith in the former Pitt signal-caller. Now, the team has to go out and provide him some protection, and Peter Skoronski is a mauling left tackle that should not be available on Day 2.
One of the stars of the 2023 NFL Combine on Day 1 of the on-field workouts was Clemson defensive tackle, Bryan Bresee. Teams can put the health question to bed after seeing him run the 40-yard dash, and in Detroit, he teams with fellow rookie first-rounder Christian Gonzalez to bolster the defensive side of the ball.
2023 NFL mock draft: Raiders trade down twice in full first-round mock
Finally, the Silver and Black do not trade away their pick, as the Las Vegas Raiders select Clemson linebacker Trenton Simpson with the No. 19 overall selection. Simpson is widely considered one of the top linebacker prospects in this draft class, and he put on a show on Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine on-field workouts.
The truth is, linebacker is going to be a big area of need this offseason, especially with guys like Denzel Perryman and Jayon Brown heading to free agency. Patrick Graham’s defense needs strong, athletic linebackers for it to work, and Simpson is someone who checks a lot of those boxes.
Sure, Las Vegas could fall in love with a quarterback this draft season, trade up to get him, and fill that void. But there are so many flaws when it comes to this roster, and by trading down twice, they get a host of elite draft capital and still get a premier player at a serious position of need on Day 1.
2023 NFL mock draft: Raiders trade down twice in full first-round mock
The star of Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine may have been Lukas Van Ness, who cemented his place as a first-round draft pick by putting on a show of athleticism. With pick No. 20, he hears his name called by the Seattle Seahawks and joins Jalen Carter in the first round to help solidify the Seahawks’ defensive front.
When you have a quarterback like Justin Herbert, you might as well continue to stack talent around him, and that is exactly what the Los Angeles Chargers do here with the No. 21 overall pick. With this selection, the Chargers add Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer, who is one of the more NFL-ready players in this draft class, and could terrorize defenses in an AFC West loaded with tight end talent.
The Baltimore Ravens still have to figure out what to do with Lamar Jackson, as the time has come for them to pay him what he deserves. The deal with Jackson is likely to get done, and once that is finished, the organization needs to stack more talented wideouts around him, selecting Ohio State star Jaxon Smith-Njigba at No. 22 overall.
2023 NFL mock draft: Raiders trade down twice in full first-round mock
Last season, the Minnesota Vikings were one of the more dominant teams in the NFC record-wise, but nobody expected them to do much in the playoffs. The defense really struggled at times, especially against the pass, which means Kelee Ringo should be able to go into that franchise and earn a starting job on Day 1.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a team that could be a power in the AFC for a long time, especially if Trevor Lawrence continues to improve the way he did last season. Picking at No. 24, Jacksonville turns their attention to the other side of the ball, and Utah’s Clark Phillips III fills an immediate void in their secondary.
What to do with Daniel Jones? New reports out suggest that the quarterback wants over $45 million a year, which seems a bit much considering he has only had one healthy and productive season in the NFL. With pick No. 25, they get Jones some help, selecting Tennessee star wideout Jalin Hyatt, who would instantly become the best wide receiver on the Giants roster.
With Tony Pollard entering free agency, and the franchise seemingly done with Ezekiel Elliott, the Dallas Cowboys roll the dice on University of Texas star running back, Bijan Robinson. Dallas has likely gotten a good look at him playing for the Longhorns, and in this draft class, he is by far the best player at his position group.
2023 NFL mock draft: Raiders trade down twice in full first-round mock
Two running backs in the first round? Well, that does not happen much, but after Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs is the only other back who should have a first-round grade. Gibbs can do so much for an offense, being an asset on the ground, and through the air, while also providing Buffalo with an elite return man.
The goal for the Cincinnati Bengals this offseason should be protecting Joe Burrow, and they add a talented offensive lineman here at No. 28 in O’Cyrus Torrence. Torrence can play up and down the line for the Bengals, and if they want to continue to be an AFC power, Burrow has to be the priority this offseason, and for the foreseeable future.
The New Orleans Saints are another NFC South team that seems to be all-in on the Raiders’ former signal-caller Derek Carr, but they also have a lot of work to do in terms of their offense outside of quarterback. Josh Downs would provide them a big boost in the passing game, and teaming him with Chris Olave could make for an outstanding duo at wideout in the Bayou in 2023, and beyond.
The Philadelphia Eagles were the best team in the NFC last season, but they could see several changes within their roster this offseason. If CJ Gardner-Johnson leaves in free agency, it creates a huge void at the safety position, one they could fill with Brian Branch, the best player at the position in this draft class.
We close out the first round with the Kansas City Chiefs picking up another playmaker for the best quarterback in the NFL, Patrick Mahomes. Kayshoun Boutte is a guy who can flat-out stretch the field, and in Kansas City, he joins a wide receiver room that already has guys like Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Las Vegas Raiders: Why the fans keep coming back every season
There has not been a ton of winning for the Raiders franchise over the last 20 years, but that has not stopped Raider Nation from continuing to grow.
So there you have it, a full first-round 2023 NFL Mock Draft that sees the Raiders get better at linebacker, and also pick up two second-round picks, as well as a first and second-rounder in 2024. Maybe that first-rounder from Tampa Bay becomes their next long-term answer at quarterback, but for now, this is a tremendous haul for the Silver and Black.