Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: Andrew Farmer, Lane College
The Las Vegas Raiders will participate in another major defensive overhaul this offseason. While the new regime enters its second season in the franchise, it will have plenty of options to improve that horrific defense.
The Raiders are in a position to bring key replacements through the 2023 NFL Draft after a series of unsuccessful and inconsistent play from players in last year’s roster.
The Raiders are expected to draft heavily on defense. While they go through the process, we'll work alongside SI’s Draft Bible to get you the latest information on any potential players the Raiders may consider drafting.
“We’re going to continue to find players who fit what we look for, and continue to build this team in our vision, and I think we’re going to, at the same time, our goal is to win football games, and our goal for next year is to make an improvement over where we were this year,” Ziegler said.
Edge Rusher Andrew Farmer, Lane College Dragons
One intriguing prospect the Silver and Black have shown interest in bringing in is Lane College edge rusher, Andrew Farmer.
The 6-4 245-pound edge rusher is on the rise and has picked up plenty of attention over the last few weeks, heading into the HBCUs Legacy Bowl.
“Farmer passes with flying colors. He's also been unblockable. A dominant player on the Division II level who operates consistently at a high level… NFL teams have noticed that team-first approach from a highly talented player,” Steve Wyche of the NFL Network said of Farmer.
No other Division I or II players had more tackles for losses per game than Farmer last season.
In his two seasons with the Dragons, Farmer posted 114 total tackles (71 solos), 44 tackles for losses, and 17.5 sacks, including an astonishing 25 tackles for losses last season.
“I’ve played as a pass rusher in a 3-4 and 4-2-5 scheme. I was used as a 3, 4 or 4i which allowed me to use and develop my leverage,” Farmer said, his versatility playing a big role in his success.
Versatility is an intriguing aspect Raiders Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham would love to have in his players.
Farmer did not have an issue getting to the backfield, as his heavy hands and crafty technique allowed him to get past offensive linemen, while his bursting power and quickness off the line allowed him to get around them.
The HBCU standout has been busy improving his draft stock during the offseason, and from all the events he has been part of, nothing has made him a more valuable prospect than the HBCU Combine.
He ran a 4.72-second 40-yard dash and posted a 38-inch vertical jump and 9-foot-10-inch broad jump.
Projected as a late seventh-round selection, the Raiders can use one of their late picks on him.
Additionally, Farmer was taken in the eighth round of the USFL rookie draft last week.
Farmer would have to decide whether to sign with the USFL team or continue through the draft process.
The NFL Draft will occur at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29. ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network will broadcast all seven rounds.
The NFL Scouting Combine is Feb. 28-March 6, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. March 7, 2023, before 4 p.m. EST, is the club's deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.
March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. Starting at 12 p.m. EDT on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EDT on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15.
The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.
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