The 2023 NFL Draft is around the corner and the Las Vegas Raiders sit at pick number 7 behind the Panthers, Texans, Cardinals, Colts, Seahawks, and Lions. The Raiders have a total of 12 picks during the draft, so they have plenty of chances to land key players at positions of need.
The top draft needs for Las Vegas since the start of free agency are quarterbacks, offensive linemen, linebackers, defensive line, and defensive backs. Here is a look at the top projected players in each of those positions and how they can potentially help the silver and black.
Quarterback
Bryce Young (Alabama)
Bryce Young is projected to be the first pick in the 2023 NFL draft which means the Raiders would need a miracle to land him and a lot to trade for the talented Young. The Mater Dei High School alumni who later enrolled with Alabama, was named the Gatorade POY after passing for 4,528 yards and 58 touchdowns in 2022 and the Sugar Bowl MVP after the victory over Kansas State. Bryce Young possesses a wide range of intangibles that help distinguish him from some of the more physically gifted quarterbacks in this class. He scored the highest of the quarterbacks in the cognitive assessment that the combine administers, which separates him from the other very talented signal callers.
Hendon Hooker (Tennessee)
Hooker signed with Virginia Tech after winning two state championships and passing for over 6,000 yards and 55 touchdowns at Dudley High School in North Carolina. He later transferred to Tennessee where he thrived as an elite quarterback. The most crucial question to be answered is whether Hooker can thrive outside of the Tennessee offense. Hooker runs the ball a lot despite his age and an ACL tear which became a talking point in many draft conversations.
C.J. Stroud (Ohio State)
Even before Stroud threw for 3,878 yards and 47 touchdowns as a senior at Rancho Cucamonga High School in California, he was a five-star recruit and a top 50 overall talent. In all areas of the field, he can make on-frame throws to targets while leading receivers with good placement, which made him the favorite to be the first overall draft pick.
The Ohio State quarterbacks draft stock suddenly decreased during the combine after he scored an 18%, the lowest score on the cognitive assessments out of the quarterbacks. Now he is out to prove that he will still be a top tier NFL quarterback despite those who question him.
Offensive line
Peter Skoronski (Northwestern)
The 6’4″offensive line specialist is from Northwestern University. Skoronski spent his college years covering the quarterback’s blindside at tackle, but his body type and skill set required him to switch to guard, where he can play at his best as a pro. He has short arms, but he is broad across the upper and lower body. Skoronski has the run-blocking talent to develop into an instant starter and a top-tier guard if he can figure out his protection anchor. The Raiders struggled early in the 2022 season at interior line and can use help to protect the injury prone Jimmy Gorroppolo.
Paris Johnson Jr. (Ohio State)
After being voted the Anthony Munoz Offensive Lineman of the Year out of Cincinnati’s Princeton High School, Ohio State fought against other schools to keep the top-10 overall recruit in his home state. During his freshman year, he played in five games as a reserve, including the national title match against Alabama. Johnson’s athleticism and versatility are advantageous, but he may need some fine tuning before he settles in as a pro.
Broderick Jones (Georgia)
In his first season with the Bulldogs, Jones participated in two games as a reserve. In 2022, he established himself as one of the best in the country, contributing as Georgia’s left tackle and helping the team win back-to-back titles. Jones has a lot of talent and can move well in space to land run blocks. Jones isn’t yet a polished product, but his physical and athletic gifts allow for the projection of a good, dependable starter.
Linebacker
Trenton Simpson (Clemson)
Out of Mallard Creek High School in North Carolina, Simpson was a top-20 recruit overall. Some experts say that he lacks patience, which causes him to become entangled in traffic close to the line, but his aggression will make up for it with experience. He finds the ball carrier on blitzes and is a textbook tackler. Simpson will be a star when he improves at diagnosing plays because players cannot be taught what Trenton Simpson physically brings.
Jack Campbell (Iowa)
After assisting his Cedar Falls High School squad win Iowa state championships as a junior and senior, Campbell could have played Division I basketball. However, he decided to play for the Hawkeyes football team. As a true freshman, he participated in 11 games as a reserve. Campbell is a versatile player who can tackle well in space and in traffic. He had 125 tackles and 2 interceptions in 2022.
Drew Sanders (Alabama)
Sanders, a top-ranked high school athlete from Texas’ talent-rich state of Texas and a five-star prospect, was a significant signing for Alabama in 2020. The former five-star signee from Alabama transferred to Arkansas for the 2022 season and posted 103 tackles and 9 and a half sacks with the Razorbacks.
Defensive line
Jalen Carter (Georgia)
After excelling on the football field at Florida’s Apopka High School, Carter became one of the top prospects in the nation. He also played basketball and was on the weightlifting team. His 395-pound bench press placed second in the heavyweight class of the state tournament. Based on his talent, traits, and projection, Carter seems prepared to enter the NFL and establish himself as an effective three-down player with Pro Bowl potential. He was anticipated to be an early first rounder until being involved in a fatal car accident. The Raiders have publicly stated that they will not take Carter at pick number 7, but stranger things have happened.
Bryan Bresee (Clemson)
Bryan Bresee became a two-time All ACC player in 2022. Bresee plays with leverage and brings good power, especially in his lower body, consistently holding up against double teams in the run game. Teams are concerned about Bresee’s ACL injury that caused him to miss significant time. If healthy, he could be a physical talent.
Calijah Kancey (Pittsburgh)
Kancey is a nightmare pass rusher for offenses. Although he is a powerful and motivated player, his lack of muscle and height will make him a hit-or-miss run defender. Despite occasionally being pushed around, his agility allows him to make tackles in the backfield.
Defensive backs
Devon Witherspoon (Illinois)
In 2022, Witherspoon had an elite year, logging 32 tackles, 7 assists, and made 16 stops. In coverage, Witherspoon had 14 pass breakups, 3 interceptions. He is physical and has the speed to cover in space, making him deservingly the number one projected cornerback to come out of the draft.
Christian Gonzalez (Oregon)
Coaches Pac-12 All-Conference first team player Christian Gonzalez brings great speed and athleticism to his position. His physical style unfortunately does not match his speed. It is to be determined how Gonzalez will perform against bigger wide receivers in the NFL.
Joey Porter Jr. (Penn State)
Son of Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Joey Porter, Joey Porter Jr. grew up around football. In 2022 he was named first-team All-Big Ten by the coaches and media. He has fluidity, speed and quick feet which allows him to come down and defend slot receivers in man coverage. Porter also does a nice job breaking down in space as a tackler after a catch. Porter needs some refining but has the tools to become a good player.
