The 2020 NFL Draft is only three weeks away and although it may be affected by the coronavirus, there is no doubt that it will still go on as planned.
For the Las Vegas Raiders, the NFL Draft is going to be their time to fill in the rest of their roster. The Raiders have had a solid start to the offseason, adding key pieces like linebacker Cory Littleton and quarterback Marcus Mariota. With those additions, the Raiders are well on their way to being a serious contender.
Of course, the team is not quite complete yet. The 2020 NFL Draft should allow the Raiders to fill in the remaining holes on the roster as they hold two picks in the first round and three in the third round. According to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report, the Raiders are focusing on wide receiver and defensive tackle in the first:
Two first-rounders for Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden leaves the Raiders well-stocked to fill in holes. Don’t rule out a quarterback, one source said, but the expectation around the league is a wide receiver early and a middle-of-the-field defender with their second Round 1 pick. That would be a defensive tackle, as the team wants to upgrade there.
The Raiders acquired their second first round pick after dealing Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears in 2018. Thanks to that, the Raiders have the 19th overall pick in the draft, in addition to their 12th overall pick.
USA Today’s Draft Wire has the Raiders selecting Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy with their first first-round pick. Jeudy finished his third year with Alabama and his second consecutive year with over 1,000 receiving yards. He also added in 10 touchdowns last season.
The Raiders are in clear need of a true No. 1 wide receiver that can provide some depth. Tyrell Williams was largely ineffective due to injury last year, but hopefully can turn it around in 2020. Even if Williams can remain effective all season, the Raiders would no doubt benefit by having another receiver like Jeudy, CeeDee Lamb or Henry Ruggs III.
As for defensive tackle, the Raiders are likely looking to add depth with room for improvement in the future. Johnathan Hankins and P.J. Hall both had solid seasons in 2019, but were clearly outshined by the Raiders pair of young defensive ends in Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell. Bringing in young talent will hopefully lead to another product like Crosby or Ferrell.
One option could be Auburn’s Derrick Brown, should he manage to stay on the board for that long. In his last year at Auburn, Brown totaled 32 solo tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks. Adding him would make for a monstrous Raiders defensive line.
