The Raiders are entering the 2021 NFL Draft with a good amount of picks, including four in the top 80 overall selections.
One of the more interesting parts about the Raiders' draft order is the fact they get back-to-back picks in the 3rd round (79, 80). They acquired a 3rd-round selection from the Cardinals after trading away offensive lineman Rodney Hudson. That trade is also why the Raiders don't have a 7th-round pick.
The Raiders' 4th-round selection also has an interesting history. Las Vegas traded that pick away to the Dolphins in exchange for Raekwon McMillan and a 5th-round pick (which they still have). But the Raiders got that selection back after trading Lynn Bowden to the Dolphins.
There were also a number of reports during the season that the Raiders lost their 6th-round pick due to COVID-19 violations. But it was later reported that they did& not forfeit that draft pick and do still in fact own it.
MORE NFL DRAFT: Complete 7-round mock | Top 100 big board
Raiders draft picks 2021: Who did Las Vegas take?
- Round 1, Pick No. 17: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
- Round 2, Pick No. 43: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
- Round 3, Pick No. 79: Malcolm Koonce, EDGE, Buffalo
- Round 3, Pick No. 80: Divine Deablo, S, Virginia Tech
- Round 5, Pick No. 143: Tyree Gillespie, S, Missouri
- Round 5, Pick No. 167: Nate Hobbs, CB, Illinois
- Round 6, Pick No. 230: Jimmy Morrissey, C, Pitt
Raiders 2021 draft order
| Round | Pick |
| 1 | 17 |
| 2 | 43 |
| 3 | 79 |
| 3 | 80 |
| 4 | 143 |
| 5 | 167 |
| 6 | 230 |
Raiders NFL Draft needs
- Offensive line: Rodney Hudson, Gabe Jackson, and Trent Brown were all starters for the Raiders in 2020, and they're all on different teams now. The team also has Richie Incognito who is still on the team, but will likely retire in the near future (37 years old). Offensive line is the clear need for Las Vegas here, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Raiders go O-Line at 17th.
- Defensive line: Las Vegas had just 21 sacks last season, which was the fourth-fewest sack total of any team. Las Vegas addressed this issue somewhat by adding Yannick Ngakoue, but more depth is always nice.
- Secondary: While "secondary" is a broad term for both cornerbacks and safeties, it is a general need for Las Vegas heading into 2021. A good secondary would also help generate a pass rush, which we mentioned as a need in the defensive line section.
Las Vegas Raiders mock draft 2021
Here are the latest 2021 NFL Draft projections for the Raiders, according to Vinnie Iyer's seven-round mock draft:
| Round | Pick No. | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 17 | Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | OLB | Notre Dame |
| 2 | 48 | Jevon Holland | S | Oregon |
| 3 | 79 | Josh Myers | OL | Ohio State |
| 3 | 80 | Tommy Togiai | DT | Ohio State |
| 4 | 121 | Dyami Brown | WR | North Carolina |
| 5 | 162 | Brady Christensen | OT | BYU |
| 5 | 167 | Victor Dimukeje | EDGE | Duke |
| 6 | 200 | Kendrick Green | G | Illinois |
