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Raiders 2023 7-round NFL Mock Draft: Trades bring 16 picks, multiple QBs?

By Khaled Abdallah

Feb 28, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels during the NFL combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2023; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Las Vegas Raiders coach Josh McDaniels during the NFL combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2022; Lexington, Kentucky, USA;Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Carrington Valentine (14) intercepts a pass during the game against the Youngstown State Penguins at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Lexington, Kentucky, USA;Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Carrington Valentine (14) intercepts a pass during the game against the Youngstown State Penguins at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

Las Vegas Raiders 2023 7-round NFL Mock Draft: Combine Week edition

118. Carrington Valentine CB Kentucky

It takes a bit longer than expected but we finally address the needs in the defensive backfield in the fourth round by grabbing Carrington Valentine out of Kentucky. Valentine has ideal size for a cornerback at 6 foot and 194 pounds and his 40-yard time of 4.49 seconds is respectable for the position.

The Ohio native was a three-star recruit coming out of high school and spent all three years with the Wildcats but did not become a regular starter until his sophomore season. He has a nice combination of length and quickness and shows a natural ability to read routes and anticipate throws.

His strength is one of his best traits and he has shown the ability to knock receivers off of their routes at the line of scrimmage.

Some of the concerns around him are a lack of elite top-end speed but he can address that by performing well at the Combine and at his Pro Day. He can gamble a bit too often which leads to him getting beat on double moves but that is something that the Raiders can coach out of him.

Cornerback is a major position of need for the Raiders and ideally, they will be able to address it through some combination of the draft and free agency. They were able to get great value with Amik Robertson and Nate Hobbs later in the draft and they will hope to do the same with the selection of Valentine here in the fourth round.

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