The 2023 NFL Draft has what the Las Vegas Raiders didn't have in last year's selection weekend — a first-round pick. 

With the early selection and the memory of a disappointing 2022 campaign still present in the minds of many, Las Vegas can't mess up its No. 7 selection. 

 With his first-round selection, raiders general manager Dave Ziegler was asked what type of player he is looking for. His answer boiled down to the Raiders finding a viable difference-maker at whatever position the organization selects.

"I think the priority is finding someone that's going to have an impact," Ziegler said. "You want to find a starting level player at that spot, there's no doubt about that. And I think along with that, you want to find a player that hopefully fits a need that you have."

The first need the Raiders have is the cornerback position. Through free agency, that hasn't changed. Nate Hobbs is the only corner on the roster who’s shown he can be a viable full-time starter. That isn't a good sign for a team aiming to compete sooner rather than later. 

Las Vegas will also look to answer its defensive line questions. Also, the Raiders could look to bolster the offensive tackle position which has been worrisome for the Raiders for some time. At edge rusher, Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones are locks as the two starters, but the Raiders don’t have much depth behind them. At pick No. 7, the organization could move towards adding depth there. 

Either way, what Ziegler wants to find early in the draft is someone who has enough upside to transform the Raiders into a franchise that is feared. 

"We want to find someone that is someone that has some upside, that has some explosiveness to their game that can impact the game in a positive way," he said. "we're going to look at the best available players, but we also have a lot of places on this team where we can add competition and we can add people that can help our roster. And we want to find a player that fits what we look for in a Raiders player."

It is apparent, the Raiders may have tipped their draft hand. But their formula for success is one predicated on not only getting the most out of the players on hand but also drafting players that will fit the Raiders' overarching mission and culture. Come Thursday, Ziegler will know the direction he is going with his early draft selection.