NFL MOCK Draft Monday 8.0: Las Vegas Raiders
HENDERSON, Nev.--In our eighth and final 2023 NFL MOCK Draft, we offer the scenario where the Las Vegas Raiders use their seventh-overall selection.
While I believe that the Raiders would prefer to trade out that pick, they are not willing to give it away; in this scenario, no one is willing the pay the price that the Silver and Black and General Manager Dave Ziegler are requesting.
I have stated previously that there is one quarterback who I believe the Raiders would select. I assume in this scenario that he is not available.
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."
1st Round 7th Overall: Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois
The Las Vegas Raiders love the athleticism of Witherspoon and that, unlike many corners, he isn't afraid of stepping up in run support.
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 Raider. 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: Gervon Dexter, DT, Florida
The Raiders won't hesitate to grab Dexter at 70th. This young man has all the intangibles of greatness you can't teach. He is lacking in technique. The technique can be taught, but intangibles can't.
Dexter is an athletic beast, and they want to fix the rest. He, paired next to Crosby, would be a thing of beauty.
Our friends at NFLDraftBible.com say of him. "Though technique and refined play are important to an NFL player’s success, high-level athletic traits are irreplaceable. Florida’s Gervon Dexter has clear NFL size and length, the versatility to play anywhere from the nose to five-tech, experience against SEC talent, and NFL-caliber athletic traits. The 318-pound defensive tackle has an impressive short-area lateral explosion and a quick first step to penetrate and shoot gaps. His solid change of direction ability helps him shed blocks and work to the ball carrier. He has the good long speed for his size."
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: Blake Freeland, OT, BYU,
This former quarterback has grown into his body and has an impressive work ethic. He is the real deal, and while he is still raw, there is no reason to question that he will develop into a star offensive lineman.
Our friends at NFLDraftBible.com say: "The athletic prospect is a former state champion in the shot put and javelin, two sports that translate well to offensive tackle play (especially shot put). On the field, Freeland displays notable movement skills and clean hips. Further, the BYU tackle has natural power and an anchor when he practices proper technique and low hands. His heavy hands slow defensive linemen when he initiates contact. Freeland’s anchor improved in 2021 as his technique progressed. In the run game, the athletic lineman is very effective in zone concepts; he creates space with his leg drive and power. He regularly seals the backside C gap. Moreover, Freeland easily gets to space; he consistently reaches the second and third levels while also being able to pull and reach. In pass protection, the Utah native has the athleticism to mirror before and after contact. He easily sticks with defenders up the outside track. Freeland is very patient in pass protection, typically waiting to engage until his opponents come within range. The Cougars’ tackle generally maintains active feet and a wide base through engagement."
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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.
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