The Las Vegas Raiders had an up-and-down first season in Las Vegas, playing without fans. They started out 6-3 before going 2-5 over their last seven. They would finish 8-8 and miss the playoffs as they still have a number of question marks under Jon Gruden. With that in mind, the Raiders were very busy during free agency, adding solid options on both sides of the ball. A successful draft will give Las Vegas a good chance of really improving in 2021. Shoring up the defense will likely be a main focus, so let’s dive into this seven-round mock draft.
For this mock draft, I used The Draft Network’s mock draft simulator.
Round 1, Pick 17: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
Free safety is arguably the weakest position for the Raiders right now. Their defense had a tough time stopping passing attacks last season, allowing north of 260 passing yards per game. That will not bode well when you are playing in the same division as Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert. Moehrig is the consensus number one safety and is has tremendous ball skills. He would really help improve upon the Raiders’ mere 10 total interceptions in 2020.
For more on Moehrig, check out our scouting report on him here.
Round 2, Pick 48: Levi Onwuzurike, IDL, Washington
After signing edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue, the Raiders defensive line still needs help. Onwuzurike just seems like the classic Raider pick and would be a great fit for Gus Bradley’s defense. The tackle opted out of the 2020 season, but was very solid from 2017-2019 and has a very high ceiling. His quickness, explosiveness, and power make him a solid addition to this defense.
Round 3, Pick 79: Josh Myers, IOL, Ohio State
The Raiders have had an overhaul on their offensive line this offseason. Most notably, they traded Pro Bowl center Rodney Hudson along with their seventh-round pick to the Arizona Cardinals for this pick. With that pick, they select Myers to compete for the new center job or at least add depth. Las Vegas did sign veteran Nick Martin who started 62 games at center for the Houston Texans. Martin will compete with Andre James, but Myers would create a solid third option.
Round 3, Pick 80: Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
With the 80th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders select Chazz Surratt, QB, North Carolina to replace Derek Carr. Kidding, but Surratt did actually go to North Carolina to play quarterback before switching to linebacker. But anyway, the Raiders could really use a high upside, high-value linebacker to help their defense. Surratt has impressive blitzing and tackling abilities, along with being solid against the pass underneath. He would pair well with Cory Littleton.
Round 4, Pick 121: Cameron Sample, EDGE, Tulane
Sample would fit extremely well in Bradley’s scheme as the smooth and quick defensive lineman can play both end and tackle. The Tulane product would create a lot of value for a defensive coordinator that relies as much on a four-man rush as much as Bradley does. Behind the newly-acquired Ngakoue, the Raiders could still add to their pass rush. That is something, of course, that Gruden really values. Sample could create a solid spark plug on certain downs for Vegas.
Round 5, Pick 162: Shakur Brown, CB, Michigan State
The Raiders didn’t attack the secondary at all during free agency. After grabbing the top safety in the class with their first pick, they grab a developmental, but high ceiling corner. Brown doesn’t have much on his tape but did show a lot of good things in 2020 as he really came into his own. He showed a lot of versatility and a better ability to stick in coverage. The Raiders’ cornerback corps is very young and would still benefit from bringing in a veteran like Richard Sherman to help bolster it.
Round 5, Pick 167: Josh Ball, OT, Marshall
Whether or not the Raiders will trust in Derek Carr, who had a solid 2020 campaign, they need offensive line depth. Ball is a solid developmental tackle who has the athleticism and agility to make blocks at the second level. He has the arm length and movement to help hold off rushers. The former Florida State blocker has some off-the-field issues which caused him to leave FSU in the first place, but if those issues are dealt with, he would be a useful addition.
Round 6, Pick 200: Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, Iowa
Quite possibly the best day three option, Smith-Marsette would be a huge steal for the Raiders with their last pick. He has all the intangibles to be a great weapon in the passing game as he doesn’t really have many weaknesses. The Raiders could use some more weapons and getting a guy like Smith-Marsette this late would be a great way to do it. They signed John Brown and Willie Snead IV, while they could use another young guy to have alongside Henry Ruggs who they drafted last year.
For more on Smith-Marsette check out our scouting report on him here.
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