NFL MOCK Draft Monday 3.0: 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 third 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 QBs 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 after the Carolina Panthers traded for the number one overall pick of the Chicago Bears. 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 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 14 Overall: Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt
The Raiders make a trade to move down with the New England Patriots.
Jalen Carter was the consensus number-one defensive tackle entering the offseason, but as his stock is falling, the man many considered the second-best is soaring.
The Raiders would immediately add an impact defensive tackle with speed, toughness, and a constant motor. He would be an immediate starter.
2nd Round 38th Overall: Dawand Jones, OT, Ohio St.
This is a surprise for the Raiders. They love Jones and can place him at right tackle, 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 unfolds, 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: 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 isn't against a dual-threat quarterback but 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.
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 collegiate 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."
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 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 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: Kyu Blu Kelly, Cornerback, Stanford
The youngster is from Las Vegas, where he played at Bishop Gorman High. The Raiders bring him home at a major point of need, cornerback.
Our friends at NFLDraftBible.com say: "Suitable size, adequate length that sits on above-average musculature, and well-built frame. Plays in press alignment. Quick feet that are active off the snap, mirroring the receiver's movement patterns. Easily carries vertical routes up the boundary. Both physical and timely at the catch point. He will get his head around, play through the wideout and force pass breakups."
In the above scenario, I see four players starting in 2023 and McKee getting a starting chance should Garoppolo go down. Kyu Blu Kelly would be a starting nickel.
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.
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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