Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: OL Jon Gaines II, UCLA

The Las Vegas Raiders face uncertainty at the quarterback position, but no matter who the organization decides to bring in for next season, the team will need to add help on the offensive line.

While the pressure is on for Raiders General Manager Dave Ziegler to turn this franchise around, he can upgrade the offensive line by selecting quality prospects from a loaded 2023 NFL Draft.

This offseason, we'll work alongside SI’s Draft Bible to get you the latest information on any potential players the Raiders might consider drafting, including some that could fall into the later draft rounds.

“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,” said Ziegler.

Offensive lineman Jon Gaines II, UCLA Bruins

“When looking at Gaines II, the positives start with his speed and explosiveness. He gets off the ball well and is an easier mover. When asked to pull, he shows off his impressive speed, getting to his spot very quickly,” Draft Bible said of Gaines II.

One of the players to keep an eye on as we prepare for the NFL Combine is the versatile right guard out of UCLA, who not only helped pave the way for running back Zach Charbonnet and the sixth-best rushing offense (237.2 yards per game) at the FBS-level.

The 6-4 300-pound lineman had one of the most productive seasons of his football career lining up at right guard for the Bruins, as he helped produce a back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher and earned second-team All-Pac 12 last season.

Gaines II was also the most impressive offensive lineman attending the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and the East-West Shrine Bowl.

“To take his game to the next level, Gaines II will need to improve his play strength," Draft Bible added. "Gaines II is naturally top-heavy but he doesn’t have the play strength to hold up at the next level. Defenders with any kind of power or length can blow Gaines II off the ball. Gaines II can’t get any push and defenders are able to walk him back. His pad level is too high, allowing for defensive tackles to win the leverage battle against him.”

As for the Raiders, they can select a player whose major weakness can be corrected at the next level and with so many interior linemen in this year’s draft, landing Gaines II in the seventh round is a steal.

The NFL Draft will occur at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., from Thursday, April 27 to 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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