Las Vegas Raiders: 3 Best picks to make at No. 17 in 2021 NFL Draft

The Las Vegas Raiders have been confusing to follow this offseason but how can they bring it back around with the 17th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft?

If you’ve been questioning the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2021 offseason, you’re not alone. The tandem of head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock has drastically revamped the roster in a befuddling manner. They’ve torn down the offensive line, a definitive strength of late, while trying to spend big on defense with guys like Yannick Ngakoue in free agency.

Having missed the playoffs routinely under this regime, you have to wonder if there’s a plan in place for the Raiders. But a strong showing in the 2021 NFL Draft could change that opinion in a big way. That definitely starts with what Las Vegas does with the 17th overall pick in the first round.

So who should the Raiders be looking at with their first selection? Let’s take a look at three ideal targets for Las Vegas with the No. 17 pick.

Best Las Vegas Raiders targets with the No. 17 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft

3. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB/S, Notre Dame

The middle of the defense has been a persistent problem area for the Raiders and, while some would maintain that the team needs to find a traditional linebacker to patrol that area, they could also find a dominant chess piece with a player like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.

Due to his size, the Notre Dame product is far from a traditional linebacker in any base defense. However, he has the ability to move all over the field, capable of coming down and defending the run in the box, moving sideline-to-sideline extremely well and being able to cover tight ends and slot receivers at a high level when dropping into coverage.

Gruden would have to have a plan in place for Owusu-Koramoah as he can’t simply become a linebacker for them. But in terms of how he’d help the defense, the positive effects are obvious.

2. Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

As of right now, Brandon Parker would be the starting right tackle for the Raiders after trading Trent Brown this offseason. That’s a less than ideal situation for this offensive line as Parker, though physically gifted, hasn’t proven he can be a starting NFL offensive lineman. Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins looks the part of a player who could be that type of player to come in and start opposite of Kolton Miller.

Jenkins comes from an Air Raid offense but doesn’t play with an athletic profile or soft mentality. He’s a mauler on the edge that plays with a ton of physicality. Though he’s not the best mover with his feet, his hands are lethal as he wins with his punch often. He could be a steady option with some upside ahead if the Raiders can work on his build and technique with his feet as he takes more reps.

1. Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC

Given the fact that Las Vegas needs help at both guard and tackle (and center, for that matter), no prospect would make more sense for them in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft than Alijah Vera-Tucker.

Vera-Tucker started at left tackle for the Trojans in the 2020 season and has the possibility of playing on the edge at the pro level. The USC product is an unreal athlete with solid size that allows him to handle any type of rush while also get out and set the edge in the run game as well. More importantly, though, he also has great tape while playing guard previously, giving him positional versatility.

The state of the Raiders offensive line after this offseason means they need to find players who both can play effectively right away but also afford them options. Vera-Tucker is a high-end prospect at tackle and guard that would open a lot of doors for Gruden and company as they try to shore things up in the trenches.