5 players Las Vegas Raiders should draft in the first round

The Raiders are on a mission to make the playoffs in 2021. Here are five first round picks that can help Las Vegas achieve that goal. 

Mike Mayock and his front office have an alarmingly simple mission heading into the offseason. The Raiders must drastically improve their defense if they want to become a playoff team in 2021. Derek Carr and the offense offer more than enough to get this squad into the postseason, but Las Vegas needs to stop hemorrhaging points on the other side of the ball.

That reality means the Raiders must spend their No. 17 overall pick in Round 1 on a player who can step right and help their defense immediately. The good news is that Las Vegas could benefit from adding talent at almost any defensive position.

Finding an edge rusher capable of posting double-digit sacks would be a dream. Finally securing a corner with the ability to blossom into a No. 1 option in time would also do wonders for Gus Bradley’s defense. Finally, landing a versatile linebacker capable of making plays from sideline-to-sideline would also be beneficial.

That reality means the Raiders can let the board fall to them. Here are five players who would represent good bets for Las Vegas in Round 1.

5. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

Neither Corey Littleton nor Nick Kwiatkoski gave the Raiders’ linebacking corps the upgrade they needed last season. Combine that with Raekwon McMillan’s impending free agency and it’s easy to see why Las Vegas needs to land a new starter in this year’s draft.

Adding Owusu-Koramoah would drastically help the Raiders’ pass defense. He’s got great speed for the linebacker position and often functioned as a safety for Notre Dame on obvious passing downs. He doesn’t have outstanding power at the point of attack, but his versatility makes him an intriguing target for the Raiders.