Raiders 2023 Draft Preview
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…
