Best remaining players for the Raiders on Day 2 at pick No. 67: Vegas can still get great value in the third round
The Las Vegas Raiders finished Day 1 with their guy, Fernando Mendoza. However, they have two picks on Day 2 for now.
The Las Vegas Raiders have just two picks on Day 2, for now. They can always trade, as they traded back twice on Day 2 last season.
The Raiders pick early in the second round at No. 36, then again in the third round at No. 67. They have plenty of options left and a ton of talent still on the board. So, with each pick, I’m going to break down players from my Horizontal Big Board that would be fits at each position.
At pick No. 36, I think there should only be a few positions even considered: WR, DT, CB, and S. We have already broken those down, so let’s do their third round pick now. At 67, really, anything is on the board. Friday is going to be fun. So, let’s get into everything we could possibly see.
Best available players for the Raiders in Round 3 on Day 2
Running backs
This is the spot where the Raiders should start looking into their backup RB situation. I wouldn’t say they should take one here, but if they were ever going to start thinking about it, it should be in this area. Mike Washington Jr. could be there at 67, or he could be gone earlier if Jadarian Price goes at 32 on Thursday. Then, the next guy I would look at here would be Emmett Johnson.
Wide receivers
This is where the receivers start to come in bulk. I have Malachi Fields, Ted Hurst, De’Zhaun Stribling, Elijah Sarrat, Chris Brazzell, Zach Branch, and Bryce Lance. All of these guys could be playmakers and legit weapons for your offense. None of them, at least based on my evaluations, can be a WR1. But you just spent a second-round pick and a fourth-round pick on a WR last offseason.
Interior offensive line
Billy Schrauth, Jalen Farmer, and Gennings Dunker are the three guards you should look for here, if they even think about targeting guard at 67. The thing is, they have Spencer Burford, Caleb Rogers, and Jordan Meredith fighting for the guard spot across from Jackson Powers-Johnson, so I can’t see them taking one here. But who knows, maybe they like any of these guys far more than what they currently have.
Offensive tackle
I think there is a small possibility they take an offensive tackle here, but a stronger possibility than guard. That’s simply because DJ Glaze hasn’t been quite what they expected, as he led the team in blown blocks last season and was in the top 10 in the country the year before. Then, Grant has played quite literally a handful of snaps in the NFL. The only issue is that this is not a great spot for OT, based on what we saw on Friday. Markel Bell and Austin Barber are the only two I see here, maybe Travis Burke as well.
Defensive tackle
Domonique Orange, Chris McClellan, Darrell Jackson Jr., and Gracen Halton are the four guys I see targeted here if they decide to go that route. They need someone who can play nose and eat up space, sure. But, they’re not always going to play in those even-man fronts. They also need someone who’s going to rush the passer from a three-technique or even five-technique.
Edge rusher
Dani Dennis-Sutton and Derrick Moore are the only two edge rushers worth taking here, if they’re even here. The raiders will eventually need someone on the edge after Tyree Wilson and Malcolm Koonce, who both likely won’t be back next season. So, why not get someone whom you can develop? And, someone who could take over if Crosby were to be on a different team soon.
Linebacker
Jake Golday, Kyle Louis, and Josiah Trotter are my three favorite LBs here. Louis could be gone before this pick because his coverage ability is so key. But I don’t anticipate them taking a linebacker this early, given how much money they just spent on the position. That doesn’t mean they won’t, I just wouldn’t do it. Then again, they don’t have much great depth after those guys.
Cornerback
It will be interesting to see how the run at CB goes in Round 2, especially because of how deep this class is at the position. Brandon Cisse, Keith Abney, Malik Muhammad, Davison Igbinosun, and Chandler Rivers are the only ones worth drafting at this spot. Guys like Rivers are nickel or slot CBs. The Raiders will need that when Taron Johnson’s deal is up this next offseason.
Safety
I anticipate this position could be taken in Round 2, but if not, they either have to do it in Round 3 or, if not, Round 4 at the latest. Bud Clark and Jalen Kilgore are the two guys I like here. Both can cover and even dabble in the slot a bit. Clark can be a centerfielder, while Kilgore is more versatile.
