NFL Draft: 5 players Las Vegas Raiders should draft in the first round

5 players Las Vegas Raiders should draft in the first round

BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 19: Defensive back Caleb Farley #3 of the Virginia Tech Hokies attempts to tackle wide receiver Beau Corrales #15 of the North Carolina Tar Heels following his reception in the first half at Lane Stadium on October 19, 2019 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /

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COLUMBIA, MO – OCTOBER 5: Linebacker Nick Bolton #32 of the Missouri Tigers in action against the Troy Trojans at Memorial Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

4. Nick Bolton

If the Raiders want to use their first round pick to find a like-for-like replacement for McMillan, then Bolton becomes the obvious choice. He projects as a guy who can be a tackling machine in the middle of Las Vegas’ defense.

Bolton isn’t going to be the NFL’s biggest middle linebacker, but he’s got a mean streak that will endear him to Gruden. He isn’t afraid to throw his body around to stop running backs from finding a seam. He can give upgrade Las Vegas’ run defense immediately.

In the long haul, Bolton also has a chance to be a linebacker who can stay on the field for all three downs. He showed flashes of being a quality zone defender at Missouri. He doesn’t have the speed to match up with high-level tight ends or slot guys in man-to-man looks, but he can drop into the middle and make some plays in space.

Drafting a middle linebacker wouldn’t give the Raiders terrific value in Round 1, but Bolton can help raise the floor of Gruden’s defense in 2021 and beyond. That’s enough to earn him a serious look at No. 17.

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