The Las Vegas Raiders were panned for how they navigated the 2021 NFL Draft but, if they had a redo, there was plenty of value for them to find.
The Las Vegas Raiders, unlike the last few years, didn’t have multiple first-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. Thus, the expectations were high for what the Jon Gruden-Mike Mayock regime would do in the draft to try and get the roster to a playoff-caliber one. That was especially true after an offseason in which the silver and black tried to change course on the fly, overhauling the offensive line and throwing money at the defense.
Suffice it to say that the reaction to what the Raiders did in the draft hasn’t been favorable. Pete Prisco of CBS Sports gave them a D grade for the class while NFL.com was only slightly kinder by giving them a C. There were too many spots where they seemingly reached or made a head-scratching selection.
Because of that, we’re going to give them a redo, at least in theory. If the Las Vegas Raiders had the chance to attack the 2021 NFL Draft with hindsight in their favor, this would be a much better result for the franchise.
Round 1, Pick 17: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Actual Pick: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
It’s become an unfortunate annual tradition for Raiders fans to witness. Gruden and Mayock have routinely made egregious reaches in the first round of the draft and this was no exception. Most analysts had Alex Leatherwood graded as a surefire second-round pick and he would’ve been a great selection at that spot.
But taking the Alabama prospect at No. 17 was way too much. Yes, the Raiders need an immediate starter at right tackle and Leatherwood has a load of experience. Moreover, he also had time playing guard, which gives him some positional versatility. But the fact of the matter is that Las Vegas took a Round 2 player in the middle of the first round when there were numerous better players at the position still available.
The best among those players was Christian Darrisaw, the ultra-athletic and freakishly built tackle out of Virginia Tech.
There are some questions about Darrisaw’s motor as his tape was a bit inconsistent in that regard. Having said that, he checks all of the boxes to be a high-quality tackle at the NFL level as it pertains to his movement, strength, build and length. He can not only be just as good as Leatherwood right away but has much more potential moving forward.
Round 2, Pick 43: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
Actual Pick: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
One of the saving graces of the Raiders draft class was the fact that Trevon Moehrig fell to the second round, right in their laps. Most would argue that, had Las Vegas taken the TCU safety in the first round with the No. 17 pick. So to get him at No. 43 and answer a huge need on the back end of the defense could be a huge help to their defensive plight moving forward.
Moehrig will answer a big need in the secondary for a Raiders team that has lacked a true coverage player who can make plays not only consistently but in multiple looks. Johnathan Abram has struggled to stay on the field and to be more than a box safety and it’s shown in the Raiders’ defensive performance.
The arrival of Moehrig should take a tremendous amount of pressure off of Abram and allow him to operate in roles where he can be the best version of himself. Moreover, the Raiders will also be getting a player who can make enough players dropping into coverage that it will alleviate some of the burden off of a young cornerback room that has endured their own struggles thus far.
All told, there wasn’t a better pick for the franchise than Moehrig. Even if they had a chance at a do-over, no way they’re changing this one.
Round 3, Pick 79: Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State
Actual Pick: Malcolm Koonce, EDGE, Buffalo
Taking Malcolm Koonce with the No. 79 selection was arguably just as bad as the Leatherwood pick in the first round. Though there is potential for the Buffalo product to develop into a usable NFL player, Koonce was graded to go in the fifth round at the earliest, making this a huge reach. Just as much as that, he’s also a better fit for a 3-4 base defense as opposed to Las Vegas’ 4-3 approach.
Instead of adding edge depth when there are clearly more pressing needs, the Raiders take a swing on Ohio State linebacker Baron Browning. Though the former Buckeye is still coming along in terms of his ability to cover the run and the sideline-to-sideline game. However, with a strong natural ability in coverage and a terrific combo of size and athleticism, he could be a game-changer for the Raiders defense.
Round 3, Pick 80: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
Actual Pick: Divine Deablo, S/LB, Virginia Tech
While some people panned the Raiders for taking Divine Deablo, another listed safety, in the third round, it’s not as bad as it sounds. The Virginia Tech product is more of a hybrid than anything, even if he would be a bit redundant with a lot of the things Johnathan Abram does well at this point. Still, he’s depth in the middle of the field. But with Browning getting snagged with the pick before in this draft redo, we switch courses.
Las Vegas has used a first- and second-round pick on Damon Arnette and Trayvon Mullen, respectively, in the past two drafts. Yet, both players have struggled to find their games. Adding another depth option at cornerback, especially someone with the upside with Ifeatu Melifonwu, would make a lot of sense. His combination of height-length-speed would give the Raiders a terrific coverage player who has the versatility to help the defense in multiple arenas.
Round 4, Pick 143: Joshua Kaindoh, EDGE, Florida State
Actual Pick: Tyree Gillespie, S, Missouri
While I’m not sure about taking another edge player in the third round given that the Raiders signed Yannick Ngakoue this offseason while also having Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby on the roster, they should be willing to take a flier on a high-upside depth piece. Someone like Joshua Kaindoh would be perfect for that.
Once a highly rated recruit, Kaindoh never fully realized his full potential amid a number of tumultuous circumstances in Tallahassee. Having said that, he flashed what he’s capable of and has an enticing blend of size and athleticism that could allow him to become a playmaker with more cultural stability around him in the locker room.
Round 5, Pick 167: Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State
Actual Pick: Nate Hobbs, CB, Illinois
Since we rightly took a cornerback earlier in this draft redo for the Raiders, we’re going to double up on safeties as the Raiders did but in a much different way and, frankly, with a better overall prospect.
Hamsah Nasirildeen is a unique blend of size and athleticism for a safety, especially one who plays the way he does. He may look the part of a hybrid or box safety but he has strong coverage instincts and the ability to make plays on the ball. The versatility that his build and skill set would afford the Raiders would be a great chess piece to help the defense become more potent.
Round 7, Pick 230: Jimmy Morrissey, IOL, Pittsburgh
Actual Pick: Jimmy Morrissey, IOL, Pittsburgh
We’re sticking with Jimmy Morrissey in the seventh round because of the simple fact that the Raiders need all of the offensive line depth they can get their hands on and there weren’t many better options than the Pitt product.
Morrissey isn’t an overwhelming physical specimen on the interior from a strength or speed aspect but he’s a smart, high-IQ player who could hold his own in the NFL based on that. For a late-round pick by a team in need of reshaping the O-line group, he could be a valuable cog in the system.