Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: Trenton Simpson, LB, Clemson

The Las Vegas Raiders have addressed defensive needs in free agency, but with the NFL Draft a little over a month away, they will evaluate long-term talent at those positions.

The Raiders recently lost linebacker Denzel Perryman in free agency and will look to add more talent to the linebacker position. They added former Pittsburgh Steeler Robert Spillane and re-signed Curtis Bolton, but they still need to add to the position.

One linebacker in the 2023 NFL Draft who the Raiders could take a look at is Clemson’s, Trenton Simpson. Simpson was viewed as a potential first-round pick before the season but is now viewed as a potential second-round pick.

Look closely at Simpson and see if he could fit in the Silver and Black.

Simpson was rated as a five-star prospect by 247sports.com as the No. 1 outside linebacker in the country out of Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte, NC. He played 33 career games with the Tigers in three years, posting 165 total tackles, 23 tackles for losses, and 13 sacks.

Simpson, who stands at 6-3 and weighs 235 pounds, is one of the most athletic linebackers in this draft class, running an official 4.43 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and posting a 40.5-inch vertical jump. He is the type of linebacker who can play all over the field, rush the passer, and be a reliable defender in coverage, thanks to his closing speed and agility.

The questions and concerns with Simpson’s game come from his processing speed or lack thereof. While Simpson is a good athlete, he does not see the game at the speed teams might hope he could, which may result in him being a liability in some areas.

Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham could use an athletic, versatile player in Trenton Simpson. If he is available in the second round, the Raiders might not hesitate to select him and allow him to roam around the field, where he’s at his best.

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 season.

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