3 intriguing options for the Raiders at No. 17 in the 2021 NFL Draft

Raiders, NFL Draft
NFL Analysis Network

The NFL offseason is preparing to change the tide from the NFL free agency frenzy to the 2021 NFL Draft and the Las Vegas Raiders could load their roster with some of the top talent in the Draft. The Raiders have done a good job of adding some talent to their roster this offseason and they could use the NFL Draft to stockpile even more talent to build around.

The Raiders have a bright core to build around in quarterback Derek Carr, wide receiver Henry Ruggs III, and running back Josh Jacobs. If the Raiders play their cards right, they could add some serious talent to their roster in the NFL Draft as well.

Las Vegas saw some success in 2020 after knocking off some of the league’s best teams in the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs, but they failed to reach the playoffs yet again. The Raiders have been rebuilding for years, but if they hit a home run in the draft this year they could be a legitimate playoff contender in 2021.

The Raiders are impossible to predict in terms of who they plan on drafting, especially since they could go a multitude of ways in the draft. Let’s take a look at three prospects the Raiders should consider in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Micah Parsons, Linebacker, Penn State

The Raiders have done a pretty good job of stockpiling some talent on their offense, but now they could and should look to beef up their defense. Las Vegas could snag the best linebacker in the 2021 NFL Draft in Penn State’s Micah Parsons and have a great linebacker to build their defense around.

Parsons is one of the best linebackers the NFL Draft has seen in the past few years and he could be a plug and play guy from day one. He is expected to slide a bit in the first round of the draft due to some character concerns, but the Raiders don’t typically care about a player’s background too much before they agree to terms with them.

He should be available within this range for the Raiders to snag him, and they could get a steal in Parsons this late in the draft. Parsons opted out of the 2020 season in college to prepare for the NFL and that decision could see him wind up being a top 20 selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Caleb Farley, Cornerback, Virginia Tech

It may seem a bit far-fetched that Virginia Tech cornerback would be available for the Raiders to select at pick number 17 in the 2021 NFL Draft, but due to some teams having bigger needs the cornerbacks could slide a bit in the draft. If Caleb Farley slides to this point in the NFL Draft, the Raiders could have one of the most gifted cornerbacks in the draft fall right into their laps.

Farley, unlike Patrick Surtain and Jaycee Horn, is more of a physical cornerback who is known for his tackling abilities and great break on the ball. He isn’t going to be a ball hawk kind of guy, but he would be the perfect fit for the Raiders’ secondary.

He opted out of the 2020 college football season to prepare for his transition to the NFL and he could be a formidable piece of the Raiders’ revamped secondary. Adding Farley to combine with Damon Arnette and Johnathan Abram in the Vegas secondary could be a lethal tandem to throw against.

Alijah Vera-Tucker, Offensive Line, USC

The Raiders will likely choose to go with a more luxurious pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but a smart move could be adding some depth to their offensive line. One of the most intriguing offensive line prospects is USC offensive tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker.

Vera-Tucker could provide some great talent to the Raiders, who need to add some versatility to their offensive line. He has the great ability to not only play offensive tackle, but also to bump to the interior of the offensive line and play either guard spot as well.

Alijah Vera-Tucker is one of the most slept on prospects in the draft and he could be a great addition to a needy Raiders roster. Vera-Tucker’s ability to play anywhere on the offensive line would be very much welcomed, especially considering the lack of versatility the Raiders currently have at the position.

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