How the Raiders Can Fix Defensive Holes in the 2023 NFL Draft

As the 2023 NFL Draft approaches, the Las Vegas Raiders balance scouting prospects and assessing team needs. Those two things will be combined when Commissioner Roger Goodell steps to the podium to announce the Raiders' first-round selection.

The Raiders hold the No. 7 overall pick in the first round and have 11 picks after that and they are a team with multiple positions needing to be addressed.

General Manager Dave Ziegler and Coach Josh McDaniels should feel confident in their ability to build the roster to their vision.

The Raiders have cast a wide net in terms of positional scouting. They have been linked to a number of different positions, including multiple quarterbacks and defensive backs.

With their 12 draft picks, the Raiders have a great opportunity to build the foundation of their roster. Eight of those picks are on day three of the draft, and rounds 4-7 are what make up the majority of teams’ rosters. The Raiders can do just that with this draft class for a team with multiple positions to address on defense.

At No. 7, one of the top defensive backs in the class could be on the board in Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez, who has elite size and mobility. Illinois’ Devon Witherspoon plays with tenacity unmatched by any other player in the draft. Penn State’s Joey Porter Jr. can play in any defensive scheme.

On day two, the Raiders can build through the trenches. It’s possible Clemson’s Bryan Breese or Pittsburgh’s Calijah Kancey is available in the second round, as both have loads of talent but question marks about their game. The team could also add a former five-star high school prospect, South Carolina’s Zacch Pickens, in the third round.

If the Raiders have addressed those needs on the draft's final day, they can double down or add depth to positions like a linebacker and defensive end. Missouri’s Isaiah McGuire is a potentially solid add off the edge. Louisville’s Yasir Abdullah is a top-tier competitor and could play immediately.

The Raiders will be fortunate to fill so many holes on the defensive side of the ball, no matter what fashion they decide to do it.

The 2023 NFL Draft will go from April 27-29 and be held at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period began at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15.

The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this offseason.

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