Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Las Vegas Raiders Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Las Vegas Raiders from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
For a more inclusive lists of mock drafts for the Las Vegas Raiders, check out our 2021 Las Vegas Raiders Mock Draft Database.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Raiders:
EDSFootball - Kevin Hanson (1/15)
17. Daviyon Nixon, IDL, Iowa
San Diego Union Tribune - Eddie Brown (1/13)
17. Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
For as much draft capital as the Raiders have spent recently on their defense, you'd expect better results by now. There have been flashes, but nothing concrete yet. Paye is an upside pick who hadn't produced at an elite level before (he only had 9.5 sacks in his first three seasons in Ann Arbor), but there's athletic indicators he will continue to improve as a pass rusher. According to Pro Football Focus, Paye had a 26 percent pass-rush win rate -- fourth-best of any Power 5 edge defender in the country -- which is typically defined as how often a player beats his blocker within 2.5 seconds. He's already an impressive run defender against the spread offense, which is becoming increasingly important in the NFL.
CBS Sports - Chris Trapasso (1/13)
17. Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
The Raiders desperately need more coverage prowess at the safety position. Moehrig will bring that to the defense.
The Athletic - Dane Brugler (1/12)
17. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
With his explosive nature, Owusu-Koramoah could easily be a top-10 pick, although his role will vary depending on scheme. That will cloud his projection. One of the few certainties with the Raiders' defense? It needs athletic playmakers and Owusu-Koramoah could fill that void.
The Draft Network - Joe Marino (1/7)
17. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
The Raiders invested in
Cory Littleton,
Raekwon McMillan, and
Nick Kwiatkoski to overhaul its linebacker corps and it didn't go to plan. Owusu-Koramoah has outstanding range and coverage ability, making him the perfect matchup linebacker for today's NFL. The AFC West is loaded with challenging weapons to defend and Owusu-Koramoah can help neutralize and match up with the outstanding running backs and tight ends within the division.
ESPN - Todd McShay (1/7)
17. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Didn't the Raiders just draft
Henry Ruggs in the first round last year? Didn't they then take
Bryan Edwards in the third? Yes, but this team still needs playmakers on offense.
Nelson Agholor is likely to be a free agent, and Edwards hasn't yet taken the step. Waddle missed most of the 2020 season -- though he could return Monday for the national championship game -- but he is arguably the most explosive wide receiver in the nation. He would give coach Jon Gruden yet another speedy problem to throw at opponents and also help one of the NFL's worst kick-return units. Thanks to a busy 2020 offseason and some secondary-friendly draft classes, there aren't too many other glaring needs. However, the Raiders' 21 sacks were the league's fourth fewest, and it'd be a good spot to start looking at additional pass-rushers.
This would mark the sixth time a school has sent two wide receivers off as first-round picks in the same year (DeVonta Smith being the other), and after two Alabama WRs also went in the first in 2020 -- including Ruggs -- Alabama would become the first school ever to have two WRs go in the first round twice, let alone in back-to-back years.
USA Today - Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz (1/5)
17. Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
A breakout performer in his redshirt sophomore campaign, Ojulari has established himself as one of the most promising edge rushers in this class and a clear asset to a Las Vegas defense that ranked 29th with 21 sacks.
Athlon Sports - Bryan Fisher (1/5)
17. Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
The one thing that has been holding the Raiders back from taking the next step is their defense and
Mike Mayock's task this draft will be overhauling that side of the ball completely. Paye has the explosiveness in the edge that can help give some juice to a pass rush that failed to adequately pressure the QB.
Previous update: Las Vegas Raiders Mock Draft Roundup 3.0
MORE TEAMS: All NFL Team Mock Draft Roundups
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