NFL MOCK Draft Monday: Raiders 1st, 2nd, 3rd Round
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 second 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 QBs in this draft—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 QBs 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 after the Carolina Panthers trades for the number one overall pick of the Chicago Bears. Here is the latest scenario that I propose.
I have said previously 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 QB 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 7 Overall: Jalen Carter DT, UGA One of two players considered can't-miss prospects in this NFL Draft, Carter drops after a run on QBs and concerns about his off-field issues.
The executives I am speaking to are in the due diligence process. While not underestimating the concerns, they feel like they are learning things about Carter that make his selection comfortable.
Several teams have him listed as the best player in the NFL Draft and as the number one defensive line overall. With a run on QBs, and those concerns, the Raiders address an immediate need for the best player in the NFL Draft.
Our colleagues at NFLDraftBible.com offer this on Carter, "Blessed with rare athleticism, a lightning quick first step and violent hands, the Bulldogs defensive tackle makes a living in the opponents' backfield. In fact, he has registered a whopping 47 quarterback pressures and six sacks over the past two seasons, more than any other player in Athens during that span. His versatility also bodes well, as Carter has been moved up and down the defensive line."
2nd Round 35th Overall: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio St.
This is a surprise for the Raiders. They love Jones and can place him at RT, where he and Kolton Miller give the Silver and Black the bookend tackles they crave. Jones is projected by nearly everyone I have spoken to as a first-round talent. The issue is that the way this draft appears to be unfolding, a run at other positions precipitates an unwarranted drop.
Our friends at NFLDraftBible.com say of Jones, "Size is astounding, length and mass that is visible from the nosebleeds. Naturally wide base that remains consistent throughout his pass set. Hand fighting is non-negotiable. His innate length prohibits pass rushers from reaching his chest. Heavy hands that disrupt defenders trying to work a move. Plays long through the point of attack, as expected with his frame. Impressive anchor that is seldom threatened. Remarkable adjustments to counter moves, swiping away incoming technique. Synced with his linemen, understands where and when to slide, and diagnoses stunts and blitzes. Stout in the run game. Brings intensity to every call and works skillfully in both gap and zone calls."
2nd Round 46th Overall: Hendon Hooker QB Tennessee
The Raiders make a trade to move up with the New England Patriots. Josh McDaniels loved 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 QBs do not have pocket discipline. That is a concern of McDaniels.
McDaniels isn't against a dual-threat QB, 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.
Yes, he is coming from an injury, but every team I spoke to has no concerns and is pleased. In this scenario, Stidham can start, and if he plays well, you slow play Hooker. If Stidham struggles, Hooker has a few weeks to adjust to the NFL, and with his pocket awareness, athleticism, and an arm that can make the throws, the Raiders finally have their QB.
Per our friends at NFLDraftBible.com, "There is a lot to like about the Tennessee signal-caller both physically and mechanically. As a passer, Hooker shows a compact release, where he uses his frame to create velocity on multiple drive throws. He displays an effortless flick of the wrist, showing off his arm talent. His ability to reach all parts of the field is uncanny, with multiple throws from the far hash into the wide part of the field...He seems to throw only one speed, ripping the ball on swing or dig routes that favor more of a layered throw...Hooker is actually better when the windows get tighter, showing improved accuracy and ball placement in the red zone. His mentality shows here, willing himself as a runner to gain every yard especially when the endzone is in reach. He runs with intention, and while he isn't a twitchy ball carrier, he has adequate speed and is a force in the open field, bigger than many of those tackling him. While Hooker tends to take care of the ball in passing concepts, the same cannot be said as a runner or in the pocket, where his ball security is a real issue. When playing in rhythm, Hooker shows he can slice the seam or drive the ball with accuracy into tight windows. Issues arise when his feet become lazy, as you can watch him stand flat-footed in the pocket, looking for his primary target to out-leverage defensive backs. A high-level thrower that is a constant threat to move the chains or exploit defenses with his arm velocity, Hooker has many of the tangible aspects desired by NFL teams."
3rd Round 70th Overall: Cody Mauch OL NDSU
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 theytalk 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 that the Raiders covet. One GM 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 OL.
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."
In the above scenario, I see all four players starting in 2023, with all starting day one but Hooker.
The 2023 NFL Draft will go from April 27-29 and be held at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo.
March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. Starting at 12 p.m. EDT on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EDT on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15.
The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins 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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