Arrowhead Addict
FanSided

2021 NFL Draft: Scouting the Las Vegas Raiders’ strategy

By Jake Kokoris

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chargers defeated the Raiders in overtime 30-27. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: Head coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Los Angeles Chargers at Allegiant Stadium on December 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Chargers defeated the Raiders in overtime 30-27. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 28: Wide receiver Tylan Wallace #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys runs for seven yards on the last drive of the game against defensive back Adam Beck #24 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the fourth quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 50-44. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
STILLWATER, OK – NOVEMBER 28: Wide receiver Tylan Wallace #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys runs for seven yards on the last drive of the game against defensive back Adam Beck #24 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the fourth quarter at Boone Pickens Stadium on November 28, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. OSU won 50-44. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

Round 3 (No. 80)

  • Tylan Wallace WR, OSU
  • Davis Mills, QB, Stanford
  • Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M
  • Divine Deablo, S, Virginia Tech

Bit of a repeat here, but only because the Raiders pick back-to-back and thus will have the option of any player they don’t select at 80.

I also want to make a bit of a prediction here. If Gruden and Mayock are serious about finding Carr’s successor, this draft pick is the last reasonable chance they’ll have at Kyle Trask, Davis Mills, or Kellen Mond. I’m sold that any of these guys will even be available at this point. But regardless, because the Raiders won’t pick again until pick 121, this pick strikes me as the last chance they’ll have to get one of the top 8-10 QBs.

Sidestepping the QB talk, No. 80 should also present another chance to bolster the back end of their defense and their receiving core. I’m not sure Tylan Wallace will be available here, but he’d be a really nice complement to Henry Ruggs and John Brown.

Conclusion

The Raiders have a lot to work do, but with four picks in the top 100, they have an opportunity to at least address multiple deficiencies.

Yet, I think the interesting takeaway is just how much the Raiders level of interest in a QB will determine their entire draft strategy. If they want, say, Trey Lance, they will most likely have to move up into the top 8. The kind of upward move, if possible, will require multiple valuable draft picks in exchange.

On the flip side, if the Raiders stand pat at pick 17, they give themselves a chance (albeit an extremely slim one) at a top QB falling while also having a strong chance to add a key contributor somewhere else. And the other alternative is to trade back, and simply accrue players at needed positions.

The entire strategy simply tracks the Raiders’ level of interest in one of those top 5 QBs. If they LOVE, say, Lance, they will probably need to trade up to get him. If they would like to have Lance or Jones, but aren’t dying to get them, then sitting at 17 probably makes more sense, especially considering that there are some big holes on the roster. When monitoring the Raiders this draft, it will be interesting to see how whether their interest in a QB dictates their broader draft strategy.

Home/Kansas City Chiefs News