NFL MOCK Draft Monday 7.0: Las Vegas Raiders
HENDERSON, Nev.—As the NFL Draft quickly approaches, the Las Vegas Raiders have many needs.
After spending time with Coach Josh McDaniels and General Manager Dave Ziegler at the NFL Combine, and subsequently speaking to multiple NFL coaches, executives, and players, we offer you our sixth NFL MOCK Draft Monday based on players we know that the Raiders have significant interest in and scenarios we have had presented to us by people within the confines of the National Football League.
Four quarterbacks are universally accepted as the top-four in this draft—though all but one NFL Executive or Scout I spoke to have questions about all four.
In talking to NFL people, we have repeatedly said that there is one quarterback that the Las Vegas Raiders would take out of the initial top-four men.
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."
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: Devon Witherspoon, Illinois · CB
With the Las Vegas Raiders QB of choice unavailable and some other key pieces not here, the Raiders select a Big Ten star with the raw tangible talent to be elite. Remember that in this MOCK, there are no trades.
Our friends at NFLDraftbible.com say, "Witherspoon plays on both the boundary and field sides of the defense for Illinois. The dynamic cornerback takes snaps covering X, Y, and Z receivers from a combination of press coverage and off-man. The Fighting Illini trusted Witherspoon to handle these diverse assignments, often with little help. The fourth-year junior is a high-motor player who shows effort and leads by example in all areas. Witherspoon blocks for his teammates when they intercept passes and is quick to congratulate his fellow defenders when they make plays. He’s a high-energy talker who loves to remind wide receivers that they’re getting locked up. Witherspoon has a quick trigger and excellent closing speed on short routes and screens. He’s also willing to come downhill and stop the run. He actively fights through wide receiver blocks and converts speed to power at the tackle point. Witherspoon has an excellent athletic profile. He possesses the agility, suddenness, and twitch to mirror routes. He has quick feet and fluid hips, which allow him to adapt to routes and releases. Witherspoon stays low, patient in his backpedal, and careful not to declare his hips too early. The former three-sport athlete is not afraid to get physical with receivers. He squeezes outside releases along the sideline and throws sturdy jabs to stall receivers."
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.
Our friends at NFLDraftBible.com describe him as: "Mauch is an excellent athlete who possesses ideal lateral and vertical agility to mirror defenders in pass protection or climb to the second level and pick off linebackers in the run game. He quickly climbs to the second level and is always looking for work. Mauch has the grip strength to latch and sustain blocks against linemen, and these skills help him overwhelm defensive backs and linebackers. He frequently finishes opponents to the ground. Mauch's speed and athletic ability quickly eat up space as he closes to targets in the open field. While he showcases a good understanding of blocking angles and rushing lanes, Mauch sometimes overruns angles on his way to second-level players. He doesn't always have the ability to throttle down and get back in front of his man in these situations and resorts to lunging. Mauch consistently generates good push in the running game and has the strength to cave in and wash down the defensive line or seal edge rushers. He's explosive out of his stance and flashes plenty of pop and violence in his hands. In pass protection, Mauch diagnoses and passes off stunts. He displays effective and independent hand usage. Mauch's anchor is strong enough to absorb and deaden power rushes. He often prevents access to inside rush lanes."
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: Tucker Kraft, South Dakota State · TE
This pick may shock some people, but hear me out. The Raiders added two TEs to the roster this offseason while additionally seeing two leave. Kraft's falling to number 70 is the case of taking the best player available, and the Raiders need a long-term solution here, and they get a steal.
Our friends at NFLDraftBible.com say, "Kraft has experience lining up in-line, the slot, and out wide. The South Dakota native easily carries his weight and possesses excellent size and density. Kraft still has room to add mass to his lower body, but he’s already strong enough to break arm tackles and shrug off shoulder tackles. He is a long strider who covers the ground quickly. Kraft has the strength to play through contact early in the route and frequently physically overpowers defensive backs. His stiff arm is lethal for smaller defenders. Kraft high points, rises to the ball, and offers significant upside in contested catch situations. The Timber Lake High School product also adjusts and drops down for low passes. He’s quick off the line and threatens the seam vertically. Kraft displays a strong clamp as a blocker. He usually correctly identifies potential threats and understands his blocking assignments. Kraft is an aggressive and willing blocker who plays angles well. He has the playing strength to seal edge defenders and open rush lanes."
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.
Our friends at NFLDraftBible.com say: "Athletic linebacker who can come downhill in a hurry and limit rushing yardage. To’o To’o has quick hands to stay clean when flowing to the sideline, taking advantage of his speed to make plays. His closing speed is very good. Linemen have a tough time locating and blocking him at the second level as he slips past blocks. In coverage, To’o To’o displays his speed, carrying slots and tight ends up the seam. He is physical, possessing the ability to shock blockers. Smart linebacker who communicates pre-snap to get his defense lined up."
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.
Per our friends at NFLDraftBible.com: "On film, McKee displays many of the skills necessary to be a starting quarterback in the NFL. His arm strength stood out. He can effortlessly throw the ball downfield without it fluttering or losing velocity. He can lead receivers and hit them in stride, even when he is under pressure. McKee’s velocity is some of the best in the class, as he can drive the ball in between defenders and thread the needle. His accuracy was also excellent. McKee does a great job of placing the ball where it needs to be at all levels of the field. He can throw his receiver open and find ways to put the ball where only his target can get it. This is an advanced skill that many quarterbacks struggle with at the college level. McKee understood his receiver's capabilities, so he knew when to throw a back shoulder pass, hit his receiver in stride, or place the ball up high."
In the above scenario, I see all five players starting in 2023, with McKee getting a starting chance should Garoppolo go down, Jones stepping in when an injury takes someone down, and Kraft earning a starting role late in the season.
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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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