NFL MOCK Draft Monday 4.0: Raiders Four Rounds
HENDERSON, Nev.—As the NFL Draft quickly approaches, the Las Vegas Raiders have many needs.
After spending significant time around Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler at the NFL Combine, and subsequently speaking to multiple NFL Coaches, Executives, and players, we offer you our fourth 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.
One executive told me on Sunday morning: "Dave Ziegler may be getting heat in Las Vegas, but that guy is well respected around the league. He isn't arrogant, he is smart, and I see the Raiders staying put with Z and letting the draft come to them."
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.
One NFL Executive said: "I don't see one QB in this draft that are sure things like an Andrew Luck, Peyton or Eli Manning, or a Trevor Lawrence. Next year I see two for sure and potentially three. So we would pass at the top on any of the three, but teams are desperate and will take the shot, and I am sure at least one will work out; that simply isn't how we draft."
I know that the Raiders highly value one of the quarterbacks at the top. Which one? It would not be proper for me to say, as I do not want to put the Raiders at a competitive disadvantage.
In this week's MOCK Draft, I have spoken to multiple teams. Here is the latest scenario that I propose.
I have said that I would not expect the Las Vegas Raiders to move any higher than the number five overall pick due to the cost. Based on the latest information, I anticipate that the quarterback that the Raiders would like from the top four will not be available at number five, so they would use their seventh overall pick.
1st Round 7th Overall: Tyree Wilson, Texas Tech EDGE DE Many people, including this reporter, feel that Wilson is one of two prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft that is a true can't-miss prospect. With the NFL being a quarterback league, the usual teams take risks on unproven players at that position, and Christmas comes early for the Raider Nation. Imagine Wilson, who should be picked no lower than second, and many feel first, as a bookend to Maxx Crosby?
Our friends at NFLDraftBible.com said of Wilson: "Texas Tech primarily lines Wilson up as a 5-tech, although it’s common to see him take snaps as a 4-tech and occasionally as a 4i. The redshirt senior’s production caught up to his physical talent this season. Wilson has elite arm length and a large wingspan. He carries his weight well enough to fill roles as a 4-3 defensive end or 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level, with the ability to reduce inside occasionally. Wilson has an explosive first step and long strides to beat tackles around their outside shoulders or make plays as a backside run defender. He’s quick to use his length and engage blockers. Wilson repeatedly proved that he was an athletic mismatch against guards in college. The former Texas A&M transfer has the strength to play through contact in half-man and manipulate his blocker as he works down the line to the football as a run defender. His power shows up as a bull rusher when he converts speed to power. Wilson’s hands pack pop, and his leg drive consistently displaces linemen. He easily separates from blockers and redirects to the football because of his length. Wilson’s long limbs extend his tackle radius, and he shows effort in pursuit. He deployed a developing swim move in 2022 and showed an increased likelihood of attacking the tackle’s inside shoulder from a 5-tech alignment."
2nd Round 38th Overall: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee
The Raiders make a trade to move up with the New England Patriots. Josh McDaniels love the accuracy of Hendon Hooker. Hooker is active outside of the pocket and can make plays with his feet. Patrick Mahomes stays in the pocket until the last minute. Most dual-threat quarterbacks do not have pocket discipline. That is a concern of McDaniels.
McDaniels isn't against a dual-threat quarterback, but he is against one with happy feet. Hooker is a true dual-threat with a high accuracy rating and skills that wow. He has to develop, but after spending time with the youngster, that is simply because the system will be different, and he has the acumen to adjust.
3rd Round 70th 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 certain 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 RT 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 100th Overall: D.J. Turner, CB, Michigan
The young cornerback brings massive speed and has the ability to start as the nickel and grow into a starter's role. He will play all special teams and is a future star in the making for the Silver and Black.
Our friends at NFLDraftBible.com say: "Turner is battle tested. In 2022, he drew assignments against current or future NFL prospects Jacob Copeland, Dontay Demus Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr., Quentin Johnston, Charlie Jones, Jayden Reed, Mitchell Tinsley, and Parker Washington. Turner takes significant experience and proficiency in man and zone coverages to the NFL. He lines up to the boundary and field sides of the defense. Turner appears most comfortable in man coverage when he’s lined up at or near the line of scrimmage. He displays silky smooth speed in the open field with elite closing burst and pursuit speed. Turner’s speed allows him to stick with burners and recover if he surrenders a step near the line of scrimmage. His twitch and quick reactions cause problems for offenses hoping to throw shorter routes. The former four-star recruit has loose and fluid hips that don’t restrict his movements. He appears to have acceptable but not elite arm length for a cornerback. Turner squeezes outside releases along the sideline and doesn’t mind getting physical mid-route. There are examples on his tape of high-end play and route recognition. Turner baits quarterbacks into throws when he’s sitting in zone and frequently jumps routes to make plays on the ball. He’s excellent at reading the quarterback’s eyes and timing his actions to disrupt plays at the catch point without drawing flags. There are flashes of Turner landing a stiff one-handed punch in press coverage, but he prefers to show patience early in the stem. This helps him mirror the receiver’s release before getting in phase and remaining attached for the rest of the play. Turner is sticky at the top of routes. He plays with quick footwork and a low backpedal. The IMG Academy product is quick to trigger on short routes and screens. He’s a willing tackler who blows up screens and lands some hard hits with a head of steam. Most of the time he wraps up and drags down ball carriers. Turner appeared on Bruce Feldman’s 2022 Freaks List. The cornerback clocks up to 23.07 miles per hour on the GPS and runs a 4.28 40-time. Feldman also credited Turner with running a 6.29 three-cone last offseason. For reference, Zyon McCollum ran the fastest three-cone at the 2022 NFL Combine at 6.48 seconds. The Combine’s three-cone record is 6.28 seconds."
4th Round 109th 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."
In the above scenario, I see all five players starting in 2023, with Hooker getting a starting chance should Garoppolo go down. D.J. Turner would be a starting nickel.
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Revisit our 2023 NFL MOCK Draft 3.0 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.
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