The Josh McDaniels era has officially started in Nevada. Time to fire up the Raiders mock draft machine.
Somehow the Las Vegas Raiders were able to sneak into the postseason for the first time since 2016. And while they did lose to the AFC Champion Cincinnati Bengals, it showed us that the Raiders are on the way up. With a good draft and addressing some holes in free agency, the Raiders could be set up quite nicely coming into the 2022-23 season.
Full 2022 Las Vegas Raiders Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 22: Drake London, Wide Receiver, USC
This pick made a lot of sense to me for two reasons. First is that when the Henry Ruggs incident happened it really exposed the lack of depth at the receiver position. And while Hunter Renfrow had a breakout season, the Raiders need to upgrade from Zay Jones and Bryan Edwards on the outside.
Secondly, the Raiders had one of the worst red-zone offenses in the league last year. Insert 6’4 219lb Drake London to the mix and you have Hunter Renfrow, Darren Waller, and Drake London for defenses to try to match up against.
London was outstanding in his career at USC. Since 2020, he had 23 contested catches, 36 forced missed tackles, and 36 catches of 15+ yards. He’s a big receiver who can threaten you down the field and after the catch, I like this fit for Vegas. This Raiders mock draft helps address a huge need.
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Round 2, Pick 53: Travis Jones, Interior Defensive Line, UCONN
The Raiders need help on both sides of the interior, and with their 2nd round pick, I have them taking Travis Jones from Connecticut. Jones was one of the top standouts from the Senior Bowl and followed that up with a terrific on-field workout at the NFL Combine. He would fill a much-needed role on that line, he is extremely powerful and intelligent making him very effective as a run stopper.
There are still some things in the pass rush to develop with Travis Jones, but I really like this fit for the Raiders if he makes it to 53.
Round 3, Pick 86: Ed Ingram, Guard, LSU
Those who consistently watched the Raiders this season know how much run blocking was a problem. It seemed like every run Josh Jacobs would be met in the backfield. So Ed Ingram at this spot was a pretty easy pick. Ingram is a powerful run blocker, who also has the athleticism and versatility to kick out to tackle if needed. Ingram also impressed during his on-field workouts at the combine and measured in at 6’3″, 307lbs with 33 5/8 arms.
Round 4, Pick 124: Terrel Bernard, Linebacker, Baylor
The Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkowski signings certainly didn’t work out as planned. Both of those big-money free agent signings have struggled in their time so far with the Silver and Black. Divine Deablo had a very strong finish to the season but still needs to improve, and other than Denzel Perryman, there isn’t much stability at linebacker for Las Vegas.
Bernard had a solid season for Baylor, with 12.5 tackles for loss, four passes defended, and 7.5 sacks. He also tested well at the combine, with 22 bench reps and a 7.03 three-cone drill.
Round 5, Pick 163: Luke Goedeke, Tackle, Central Michigan
More offensive line depth. Goedeke got injured on day one of the Senior Bowl and then tweaked something right before the combine, so we haven’t been able to see as much of him as we hoped. Still a good prospect to bring in and bring some competition to that group, especially since we don’t know for sure if Alex Leatherwood will be at guard or tackle to start 2022.
Round 5, Pick 164: Tyler Badie, Running Back, Missouri
This pick was going to be Pierre Strong Jr, but I feel like he elevated his stock a bit more at the combine. Still, Tyler Badie is great value at this pick. With Kenyan Drake on the last year of his deal, Badie could have a smaller role to develop in year one, before having an increased role in year two. Badie showed out at the Senior Bowl in the one-on-one drills against the linebackers, with some great routes and quick feet.
Round 7, Pick 224: Tariq Castro-Fields, Cornerback, Penn State
Cornerback depth is never a bad thing in the NFL. Castro-Fields could come in and earn a spot on special teams. He is a former track athlete and ran a 4.38 40 yard dash at the 2022 NFL combine. He rounds out this Raiders mock draft for 2022.
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