Raiders' expert answers very important draft question everyone keeps asking
The Las Vegas Raiders still have a ton of questions that need to be answered before they start the 2023 season, or before they start training camp even. They have positions to fill across their whole roster, but mainly on their defense. They didn't get to address every issue in free agency, but they did […]
The Las Vegas Raiders still have a ton of questions that need to be answered before they start the 2023 season, or before they start training camp even. They have positions to fill across their whole roster, but mainly on their defense.
They didn't get to address every issue in free agency, but they did address a few of them. They got Marcus Epps, the former Eagles safety, and Duke Shelley, the former Vikings cornerback to help their secondary, but man, it still needs help.
That's where the draft comes in. The Raiders have 12 total picks in the 2023 NFL Draft. They have enough capital to get everything they need, but no one seems to know what they are thinking with their first pick, which happens to be the seventh-overall pick in the draft.
Of course, there are rumors that they could trade up to the third overall pick to take a quarterback, even after signing Jimmy Garoppolo. There are rumors they could stay at seven and take a quarterback, and there are rumors they could go defense. We really don't know what will happen.
But, one ESPN analyst who covers the Raiders thinks he has an idea on the important question everyone is asking: what will the Raiders do?
If Las Vegas doesn't go quarterback at No. 7, which position is it most likely to target? Depends on what the Raiders' draft board looks like, or if you trust what both general manager Dave Ziegler and coach Josh McDaniels said at the owners' meetings — that they will select the best player available, regardless of position. The tie-breaker, though, would be a need. As such, the defense has plenty of needs, especially in the secondary, particularly at cornerback. — Paul Gutierrez, ESPN
If they just don't know what they will do, I'd suggest going best available defensive player. Here's the deal, if they go defense but don't go secondary on that first pick, it isn't the end of the world. The secondary is the deepest position in this draft, so they could easily still get some good guys with their 12 picks.
I think the best available approach is the smart move, as long as it applies to defense only. They don't really need a quarterback in the first round and they don't really need a receiver in the first round. Take the best defender available.
