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3 Las Vegas Raiders potential first-round targets in 2023 NFL Draft

By Ronnie Eastham

2023 NFL draft: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes rolls out in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
2023 NFL draft: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes rolls out in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 31, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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2023 NFL Mock Draft, Christian Gonzalez, Oregon Ducks. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images) /

3. Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

If the Raiders decided against drafting a quarterback (because they signed a veteran QB) or drafting Witherspoon, then maybe they have their sights on Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez.  Alabama safety Brian Branch could also be the target but I’m going with Gonzalez.

If this is the selection, I see the Raiders trading back a few spots and picking up an extra pick down the road in doing so.

Gonzalez is huge, coming in at 6’2″ and 201 pounds, he won’t get pushed around by your physical receivers.  He brings a skill set capable of playing in any scheme and style, along with a ton of versatility.  He’s played 30 games and 1,918 snaps, with 138 at slot in 2022 and 73 snaps while lined up in the box.  He truly can do it all; however, some have called into question his drive, but we’ve heard that before about players and they are just fine.

He’s also only 20 years old, so you’re getting a young player with an extremely high ceiling and a lot of room to grow still.  Oh, by the way, he runs a 4.32 40 time.

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