2022 NFL Draft: Las Vegas Raiders 7-round mock

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Alabama Crimson Tide running back Brian Robinson Jr. (4) is tackled by Cincinnati Bearcats safety Bryan Cook (6) in the second half of the NCAA Playoff Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic on Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Alabama Crimson Tide defeated Cincinnati Bearcats 27-6.Cotton Bowl Cincinnati Bearcats Alabama Crimson Tide Ac 434 /

player. 830. . Safety. Bearcats . Bryan Cook. 163

The Cincinnati Bearcats were one of the better stories in college football last season, becoming the first non-Power 5 school to get to the College Football Playoff. A big reason for that was the play of the secondary, which could have multiple players draft in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Outside of cornerbacks Ahmad Gardner and Coby Bryant, the Bearcats also got strong play from safety Bryan Cook last season as well. He can play deep, or in the box, and is an elite tackler, something the Raiders secondary is lacking.

. Defensive Tackle. Cardinal . Thomas Booker. 164. player. 871

We stated earlier that the Raiders could use multiple picks on the interior of their defensive line, and they get another talented player here at No 164 in Thomas Booker. Booker is an explosive defensive lineman who plays with an edge and has the speed to work inside or out for this defensive line.

I believe that the Raiders will be looking for flexibility and athleticism in Graham’s scheme, and he has stated that he will run multiple fronts in Las Vegas. Booker and Ridgeway would be excellent additions to a defensive line that has the premier edge-rushing duo on the outside in Ngakoue and Crosby.

811. . Linebacker. Wolverines . Josh Ross. 224. player

We close this seven-round Raiders mock draft by staying on the defensive side of the ball, this time adding talent to the linebacker group. Denzel Perryman was excellent for the Raiders last season, and Divine Deablo showed promise as well, but outside of those two, this could be a position group that sees many changes this offseason.

One change could be Josh Ross, a punishing linebacker from Michigan that helped them have one of the better defenses in the country last season. Ross is not big, but he is athletic, and in a 3-4 scheme, could be used by Patrick Graham all over the field.

It is clear that the Raiders have significant holes on their defense, and they fill a ton of voids with this seven-player haul which includes five defensive players. Las Vegas also bolsters their offensive line and brings in a playmaker at wide receiver, so overall, David Ziegler and his staff improve this roster in a big way.

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