If you were hoping that the Las Vegas Raiders would come away with a new franchise quarterback and/or right tackle in the 2024 NFL Draft, you won't like this latest mock from ESPN's Field Yates and Mel Kiper.
Yates and Kiper put out a brand new 3-round mock draft on Monday, and in it the Raiders take a cornerback, an interior offensive lineman and a running back.
In the first round, Kiper takes Toledo cornerback Quinyon Mitchell at No. 13 overall. Here's his write-up on the pick:
That Bowers pick threw me off a bit, Field, and I have to leap at the chance to get my top-ranked cornerback. Mitchell has been off the charts during the pre-draft process, crushing the Senior Bowl and combine.
In the second round, Yates selects Oregon offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson, who could play either guard or center. Yates writes:
The Raiders must continue to chip away along the offensive line, and Powers-Johnson has the flexibility to play at guard or center. He's a massive, powerful dude.
Last but not least, the Raiders take running back Jaylen Wright out of Tennessee in the third round in a pick made by Kiper, who wrote the following on the selection:
Finally, another running back off the board. The Raiders lost Josh Jacobs, which means there are opportunities for touches in 2024. Wright averaged 7.4 yards per rush in 2023, which ranked third in the FBS.
While much of the attention has been on the right tackle spot for the Raiders, they do need a guard, also, which Jackson-Powers can play, so that checks off one box.
Las Vegas also needs a starting cornerback opposite Jack Jones, and Mitchell, who is widely considered the best player at his position in this year's draft, answers that need in a big way.
However, the selection of a running back in the third round is where this mock is lacking. Granted, it's not crazy to think the Raiders could use more competition at the position for Zamir White and Alexander Mattison, but there are more pressing needs than that, like right tackle and quarterback.
And, the longer the Raiders wait to address those needs in the draft, the less likely it is they land an immediate starter, which is especially needed at right tackle.
