Las Vegas Raiders Draft Grades

How did the Raiders do in the 2021 NFL Draft? We give the Las Vegas Raiders draft grades for every pick they made.

Round 1 (No.17 Overall) OL, Alex Leatherwood

The Alabama lineman was a major reach at this point in the draft if you ask me. I had him going late second at best on my board. The best part of this pick is being able to tell all the Raiders fans on Instagram “I told you so!” in response to them all saying they wouldn’t go offensive lineman. Leatherwood struggled against SEC pass rushers and I don’t see him as an NFL tackle. I project him at guard, but hopefully for Raider Nation he has a better start to his career than Clelin Ferrell but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Most of our Top 5 offensive tackles were available.

Grade C-

Round 2 (No.43 Overall) S, Trevon Moehrig

The defensive back out of TCU is a great value here. Most thought he would be the first safety off the board, as did I. He can play center field for the Raiders and take some pressure off of the young corners. Moehrig has good range and great instincts. I expect him to step right in and start. Honestly would have rather seen him at pick 17 than Leatherwood! So this pick helps a bit.

Grade A+

Round 3 (No.79 Overall) EDGE, Malcolm Koonce

Buffalo has produced one other great edge rusher in recent memory, but lets not be fooled. Koonce is no Khalil Mack. Koonce offers depth off the edge and some pass rush upside, but I don’t see it consistently. I’d guess he ends up more like Ferrell than Crosby. This early, Las Vegas could have still added better pieces to help them compete. I had other defensive ends ranked higher too. I would have been salivating to add Ronnie Perkins here for example. Not sure Mayock will be around too much longer….

Grade D+

Round 3 (No.80 Overall) S, Divine Deablo

Last year the Raiders took Clemson safety Tanner Muse and listed him at LB. I guess now it’s Deablo’s turn. The Virginia Tech Hokie can play will, nickel, and safety. I actually like Deablo for this role better than last years attempt. This young man brings more play making ability to the field, something the Raiders defense needs. Good solid addition here, but still a bit early for him in my opinion.

Grade B-

Round 4 (No.143 Overall) S, Tyree Gillespie

The first of two Missouri Tiger safeties to be drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft, but was it the right one? I think Gillespie has range, but struggles from time to time. The other safety Bledsoe went in the sixth to New England and would have been a perfect fit to play the role I believe Deablo will play. Gillespie is more of the deep safety and should complement the hitter that is Jonathan Abram well. I guess Gruden and company really like safeties this year. Once again I would have liked to see them pick a different position, but Gillespie does have potential.

Grade C+

Round 5 (No.167 Overall) CB, Nate Hobbs

The corner from Illinois is a sure tackler who may be more of an interior corner or even safety in the NFL. PFF had him ranked 309^th overall! Can you say reach? He graded out with a 60% coverage grade and gave up a miserable completion percentage of 85%. What the heck are the Raiders doing? Yet another round without helping the offensive line.

Grade D+

Round 7 (No. 230 Overall) OL, Jimmy Morrissey

Finally another offensive lineman to help add depth. Heck he may even challenge for a starting job soon. The Raiders completely depleted the line this off-season and failed to address it. Their best lineman left on the roster will be 38 before the season begins to add insult to injury. I don’t see what the Raiders did to help themselves in the draft. Morrissey may end up being one of their best picks!

Almost every draft database had each of their picks rated lower than they went, minus Moehrig.

Grade B-