Raiders 3 NFL Draft Prospects Head Coach Eyed At Alabama’s Pro Day
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25348109/1715083350.jpg)
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce has been a busy man, visiting several schools and meeting with several NFL Draft prospects during this recent run of pro days. Recently, Pierce was spotted at the University of Alabama chatting it up with cornerback Terrion Arnold via the video from Stephen M. Smith of Touchdown Alabama.
Obviously, the presumptive first-round pick is on Pierce’s radar but the Crimson Tide have plenty of top-tier talent, so who else could he be eyeing down in the South?
CB Terrion Arnold
Current draft projection (via NFL Mock Draft Database): 1st Round (ranks 11th overall)
The Raiders need an alpha at cornerback and, in my opinion, Arnold is the clear top player at the position in this year’s draft class. Not only does he have good coverage skills, but he’s also a physical run defender who isn’t afraid to throw his body around in the box.
The 49ers’ need for another last second miracle deserves a deep rewind
This past season, the 21-year-old accounted for 14 forced incompletions and surrendered a 50.7 passer rating when targeted, per Pro Football Focus. Those figures ranked second and third among SEC corners with at least 120 coverage snaps. Against the run, he led his position within the conference with a 90.6 run-defense grade and tied for the most defensive stops (10).
If the quarterbacks Las Vegas likes are off the board with the 13th overall pick, then using that selection to get a starting-caliber right tackle wouldn’t be a bad backup plan. In a way, the team could fill two needs with that scenario by having Thayer Munford Jr., who played guard during his last year at Ohio State, take more reps on the inside during OTAs.
Latham has spent the last two years holding down the right edge and has been stout in pass protection, surrendering just 26 pressures (two sacks) on 960 snaps in pass protection, per PFF. He also posted a 79.6 run-blocking grade that was third-best among qualifying SEC tackles last season.
Here is a look at what B/R’s Brandon Thorn had to say about the Alabama product via his scouting report.
READ MORE:
Las Vegas Raiders Mock Draft 2.0
The Raiders have been active in free agency to address some serious needs. They signed Christian Wilkins to address the interior of their defensive line and brought in Gardner Minshew to give Aidan O’Connell some competition at quarterback. While these signings addressed some key positions, the team still needs to add more depth, especially at cornerback and tackle after losing Amik Robertson and Jermaine Eluemunor. As the offseason progresses, the Raiders will continue to make moves to improve their roster. This post-free agency mock draft aims to show one of the many ways the team can add more star power and depth to their new-look roster.
Las Vegas Raiders Mock Draft 2.0
Round One (Pick 13) – Olu Fashanu | OT | Penn State
The Raiders have a problem with their current starting right tackle, Thayer Munford. He is not a reliable franchise tackle. However, Fashanu is a blue-chip prospect who could be the best tackle in this year’s class. The Raiders have quarterbacks who are not very mobile, so it is important to protect them. Fashanu is an ideal size at 6’5″ and 331 pounds, with excellent skills in both run and pass blocking. He could be a cornerstone of the Raiders’ offensive line. However, his lateral movement is a weakness that could hinder his ability to protect the quarterback’s blindside. Fashanu is a can’t-miss prospect but is falling down the draft boards due to overthinking. If he is picked, he could become Antonio Pierce’s future franchise tackle on the opposite side of Kolton Miller. This would solidify the Raiders’ offensive line for years to come.
Olu Fashanu Draft Profile
Round Two (Pick 44) – TJ Tampa | CB | Iowa State
The Raiders need a cornerback more than an offensive tackle. Aidan O’Connell may start, but the offense may face challenges. If Antonio Pierce wants to rely on defense to push the team to the playoffs next season, he must address this issue. TJ Tampa is a promising cornerback with excellent length and frame that can help in pass coverage. He is versatile and effective in both man and zone coverage. Tampa plays aggressively and can be a ball hawk, but this sometimes results in overcommitting to a play. He is an aggressive tackler but sometimes fails to secure the tackle due to lapses in technique. Adding TJ Tampa to the Raiders’ defense would be a wise move.
Round Three (Pick 77) -Braelon Allen | RB | Wisconsin
The Raiders must decide on their franchise running back Josh Jacobs, who will soon become a free agent. This year’s draft class has some strong running backs, and Braelon Allen is one of the most promising prospects as a potential replacement for Jacobs. Allen is an explosive playmaker with impressive physical abilities, and he excels at carrying the ball repeatedly. Additionally, he is a physical runner who can catch and contribute to the screen game, making him more suitable as a workhorse back. If he improves his receiving techniques, he could become one of the top running backs in the draft. The Raiders could find their next Josh Jacobs in the third round if they select Allen.
Round Four (Pick 112) – Spencer Rattler | QB | South Carolina
The Las Vegas Raiders have recently added Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell to their quarterback room. However, neither of them has done enough to secure the starting position. As a result, Coach Antonio Pierce is now considering Spencer Rattler, who has a lot of potential. Rattler has the experience needed to become an NFL starter right after college. Nevertheless, his attitude and inconsistency in his mechanics are the main issues he needs to work on. If he can improve in those areas, he has all the required talent to become an excellent NFL quarterback.
Spencer Rattler Draft Profile
Round Five (Pick 148) – Malik Washington | WR | Virginia
The Raiders have recently released Hunter Renfrow, leaving a vacant slot receiver position. However, there is a promising draft prospect named Malik Washington who has been grabbing attention due to his exceptional field vision and route-running abilities. Washington has consistently improved throughout his college years and has become an elite playmaker, making clutch plays on a regular basis. Although he lacks height, being only 5’8″, and the elite speed that it takes to compensate for his size and frame, the Raiders could still find a great receiver in round five and possibly discover the next Hunter Renfrow in the same offseason they let him go.
Round Six (Pick 208) – Johnny Dixon | CB | Penn State
The Raiders have addressed their cornerback position, but they still need more depth in that area. Dixon may not be able to consistently lock someone down, but he is a hard-nosed player who makes tackles and is open to making plays in the run defense. While he may not be fast, he has the ability to keep up with slot receivers and prevent them from making big plays. Dixon uses physicality to win at the line of scrimmage and has good ball skills. He is often able to make plays against faster receivers when in zone coverage. However, he has a habit of grabbing, which leads to a lot of penalties, and this could be a problem for him in the NFL if he doesn’t learn to play cleanly.
Round Seven (Pick 223) – Delmar Glaze | IOL | Maryland
The Raiders have a solid interior offensive line, but they could benefit from adding more depth. Delmar Glaze could be a good candidate to provide that depth. Glaze is a strong run blocker with decent agility. He can move upfield and make plays at the second level, which is a valuable skill at the professional level. However, Glaze struggles with lateral movement and can be beaten by faster edge rushers. At times, he seems to overthink his actions and hesitate, losing the natural aggression needed to be an elite offensive lineman. With the right coaching and motivation from Antonio Pierce, Glaze could tap into his pure athleticism and reach his full potential.
Round Seven (Pick 229) – Keith Randolph Jr. | DL | Illinois
The Raiders have made smart moves to keep some crucial players on their defensive line. They’ve also added Christian Wilkins, which has made their defense a lot stronger. Keith Randolph Jr. would be a great addition to their team to strengthen it even more. He can learn from Wilkins and become a key player in their rotation. Randolph Jr. is a great tackler who can quickly bring down his target. He’s also very strong and can overpower smaller players. However, he’s not as quick to react as some others, so stronger defensive linemen can dominate him. But overall, Randolph Jr. is a very aggressive and violent player, which makes him a great fit for the Raiders’ defense. Patrick Ghram and Antonio Pierce are leading the Raiders to the postseason, and Randolph Jr.’s skills can help them get there.