Mock Draft has Raiders Selecting OT, QB, CB

The Las Vegas Raiders hold the 13th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. A new mock draft has them building in key areas while making a leap in another.

Sep 30, 2023; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman JC Latham (65) / Gary Cosby Jr. / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Las Vegas Raiders hold the No. 13 pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. The Raiders have positions that need to be serviced -- along with a question mark at quarterback.

In a recent mock draft by NFL.com's Chad Reuter, the Raiders spend their first pick on Alabama offensive tackle J.C. Latham. Latham made 27 career starts at right tackle for the Crimson Tide. Last season, he was named a second-team Associated Press All-American.

Latham was also a first-team All-SEC selection. NFL analyst Lance Zierlein lauded Latham's ability.

"Latham’s size, strength and talent give him a chance to become a heralded right tackle or Pro Bowl-caliber guard," Zierlein wrote.

Reuter believes Latham would be a good fit for the Raiders.

"Latham's huge frame and power off the snap in the run game belie his ability to slide laterally and widen his base in pass protection, making him a tough ask for defenders to beat with power or speed off the edge," Reuter wrote.

Hall-of-Fame GM Bill Polian discussed the importance of finding quality tackles early on in the draft with our Hondo S. Carpenter Sr. on a recent episode of the "Las Vegas Raiders Insider" podcast.

In the second round, Reuter has the Raiders trading their fourth- and fifth-round picks with Carolina to move up to pick No. 33 and select Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Aidan O'Connell took over as the starter for the Raiders last November and is set to compete with recent signee Gardner Minshew for the starting job.

Penix was a Heisman finalist last season while leading his Huskies to the national championship, though they would ultimately fall short against Michigan. Penix garnered a comparison to Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa from Zierlein, per NFL.com.

Zierlein likes Penix's refined passing ability, arm strength, and athleticism but has reservations about his extensive history of season-ending injuries in college. Penix had four season-ending injuries before he arrived to Washington from Indiana and threw for over 4,500 yards in his last two collegiate seasons. Penix visited the Raiders on Wednesday.

Reuter's mock draft has the Raiders using their third-round (No. 77) pick on Auburn cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett. Per Zierlein, Pritchett is a "slender outside corner who might have improved enough in off-man coverage for consideration in most coverage schemes."

In Reuter's scenario, the Raiders get their signal caller of the future, protection for that investment and an addition to the defense.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.

Ensure you follow on X (Twitter) @HondoCarpenter and IG @HondoSr and never miss another breaking news story again. Sign up RIGHT HERE for our 100% FREE newsletter that comes thrice a week and delivers all our best stories.

Please let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.