Las Vegas Raiders Insider Podcast: NFL MOCK Draft 6.0
HENDERSON, Nev.--The Las Vegas Raiders, led by General Manager Dave Ziegler and Coach Josh McDaniels, are in the final stages of preparing for the 2023 NFL Draft.
In our latest Las Vegas Raiders Podcast edition, we dig deep into our latest NFL Mock Draft (6.0) for discussion and analysis.
You can watch and listen to the podcast below and read the MOCK:
This "curve ball" article examines some interesting things that could happen on NFL Draft night. I have repeatedly reported that two players in this draft are universally considered "dudes." That term in the NFL is a guy you know you can't miss.
I had one NFL general manager define a dude as this: "Most drafts have one or two dudes, some less, a few more. Those are guys that you know are plug-and-play. They are as close to a can't-miss as you can get. You see nearly all the same teams year after year at the top that they don't know how to draft. When you are in the top-third of the first-round in the NFL Draft, you can't miss."
I have previously reported that there is one quarterback in this NFL Draft that the Raiders favor over all others at the top. Should he fall, the Raiders would pounce, but all expectations are that he won't be there.
We presume the Raiders do not make a trade in this MOCK draft and will keep their picks. Also, in this scenario, the quarterback they favor is off the board.
1st Round 7th Overall: Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon
In our previous MOCK Drafts, Gonzalez was not expected to be available. As of this moment, I don't think he will be, but this is our "curve ball" MOCK.
The NFL is a quarterback-driven league, and with four QBs taken ahead of Gonzalez and two defensive linemen gone, the Raiders get a break and get a true shut-down corner, an elite talent who, while not a certain "dude" is as close to one as you can get.
2nd Round 38th Overall: Cody Mauch, OL, North Dakota State
NFL MOCK Drafts have Mauch as a first-round pick, and rightfully so. One executive for an NFL playoff team told me: "One thing that a lot of teams do is overthink after the combine, and they talk themselves out of guys for the dumbest reasons. In Mauch's case, many have questioned not his talent or character, but the level of competition. We love him, but we are set on the OL."
He added: "This kid is a first-round type guy, but the Raiders could steal him here and if that happens, you will look back in five years and call him the steal of the draft. Is this probably? Not really, but certainly possible and not way out there."
Mauch is the type of player who the Raiders covet. One general manager told me: "There is no wondering why the Raiders love him. He is a Maxx Crosby on the offensive line. He has the tools to play right tackle but could slide inside and be a decade-long Raiders. Everything about that kid is Raiders."
Mauch would be a starter in game one for the Raiders in 2023 and has a high ceiling of being an elite long-term offensive lineman.
One NFL Executive told me: "You can see some weaknesses that we think are more about coaching, and he has the willingness to be great. No issues that coaching can't fix, and not concerns he can't take coaching."
3rd Round 70th Overall: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio State
This is a surprise for the Raiders. They like Jones, and many MOCK drafts have him being selected much higher. But there are concerns in the NFL that quietly many believe have him dropping into the late-second or early third-round range as it pertains to weight.
At this spot, Jones is a steal. Weight concerns have him dropping, but his productivity warrants a first-round pick.
3rd Round 100th Overall: Henry To'oTo'o, WILL LB, Alabama
A tackling machine and able to adjust, this youngster drops down to the Raiders, and yet again, Dave Ziegler's patience pays off in letting the draft come to him. To'oTo'o is a gentleman who will immediately play on all special teams, and I would expect him to play significant reps competing for a starting job by mid-2023 and owning it by the start of 2024.
4th Round 109th Overall: Tanner McKee, Quarterback, Stanford
Josh McDaniels would get a pure pocket presence as he loved in Mac Jones. McKee could sit behind Jimmy Garoppolo and take tutelage from a veteran who isn't against grooming his successor.
McDaniels would get a player fitting his system while gambling on Jimmy Garoppolo staying healthy. McKee would benefit from the tutelage of Jimmy G, and the Raiders potentially could have a long-term viable player. McKee has the skills.
In the above scenario, I see all five players starting in 2023, with McKee getting a starting chance should Garoppolo go down and Jones stepping in when an injury takes someone down.
Revisit our 2023 NFL MOCK Draft 1.0 when you click right here.
Revisit our 2023 NFL MOCK Draft 2.0 when you click right here.
Revisit our 2023 NFL MOCK Draft 3.0 when you click right here.
Revisit our 2023 NFL MOCK Draft 4.0 when you click right here.
Revisit our 2023 NFL MOCK Draft 5.0 when you click right here.
Revisit our 2023 NFL MOCK Draft 6.0 when you click right here.
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 and active in the 2023 NFL Draft.
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