SB Nation mock draft: Raiders add a blue-chip talent to already fearsome defensive line
There are still other tempting prospects on the board, but the opportunity to add this game-wrecker from Michigan was too good to pass up.
The Raiders won the lottery a year ago when they landed tight end Brock Bowers out of Georgia. He went on to become a First-Team All-Pro in his first year, setting rookie tight end records the whole way through.
This year, the Raiders have a chance to take a very good prospect once again with the sixth-overall pick. Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham is still there, along with Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty and Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.
Without further ado, with the sixth pick in the SB Nation Community Mock Draft, Matt Holder of Silver & Black Pride will select Mason Graham, the one-man wrecking ball of a defensive tackle out of Michigan.
6.) Las Vegas Raiders: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan
Holder: While the temptation to address a need with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders or Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty was there, the Raiders go with the “best player available” route for the second year in a row and take Graham. With Christian Wilkins under contract, the defense doesn’t need another three-technique defensive tackle, but odd front looks with Wilkins and Graham at the defensive ends spots and Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce on the edge will give Las Vegas a fearsome defensive line. Plus adding another pass-rusher will help out the young secondary.
Analysis: The Raiders really luck out here with Graham dropping to them at No. 6. Similarly to last year’s draft, the board falls perfectly for them to land a blue-chip prospect outside of the top five. Graham will slide in next to Christian Wilkins along the interior, with both Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce on the edge. That’s immediately one of the best defensive lines in the AFC West.
Graham’s explosive first step to teleport into the backfield will only make life easier for Crosby, who just signed one of the most-lucrative contracts in NFL history for a non-QB. If I’m Crosby, and the Raiders are on the clock here, I’d personally write Graham’s name on the card and sprint it up myself.
The Raiders could have easily taken Jeanty or McMillan to pair with new quarterback Geno Smith, but the chance to really lean into the disruptiveness of their front seven was too good to pass up. They’ll look to solidify their offense in later rounds, specifically the offensive line and wide receiver rooms.
Top five remaining players:
- Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
- Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
- Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas
- Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
- Malaki Starks, S Georgia
Ashton Jeanty to the Raiders has been gaining a lot of steam in recent mock drafts but Holder chose to go with an instant-impact defender in Graham over adding a rare rushing talent to the backfield. Next up, the Jets have a choice: Do they grab the next best quarterback left on the board, or do they continue building the defense under new head coach Aaron Glenn?