The Raiders made a splash on the first day of the draft, selecting wide receiver Henry Ruggs and cornerback Damon Arnette. While some may feel like the Raiders reached on Arnette, they addressed their two biggest needs.
Heading into the second day of the draft, the Raiders own picks No. 80. No. 81 and No. 91. However, they do not own a pick in the second round. But today, we are looking at five players the Raiders could use two of their third-round picks to get up into the 50s.
1. FS Grant Delpit, LSU
In the 2019 draft, the Raiders selected Johnathan Abram in the first round to be their hard-hitting box safety. What they lack now is a free safety who can play like a centerfielder and take the ball away. Enter LSU’s Grant Delpit.
Delpit was a ball-magnet at LSU, collecting eight interceptions in 37 career starts for the Tigers to go along with two forced fumbles. He was a two-time All-American as well as being the Jim Thorpe Award winner in 2019 as the nation’s top defensive back.
While there are some concerns about his tackling ability, his playmaking in the secondary would be a much-needed addition for the Raiders. Grabbing Delpit anytime on Day 2 would be a home-run selection for the Raiders.
2. DT Ross Blacklock, TCU
A sneaky need for the Raiders is at defensive tackle. While Maliek Collins was brought in this offseason, he signed just a one-year deal and it remains to be seen what Rod Marinelli thinks of the likes of Maurice Hurst and P.J. Hall.
Arguably the best defensive tackle still available is TCU’s Ross Blacklock. While he didn’t have the college production you would hope for, he is an elite athlete who is only getting better as a pass rusher.
According to The Athletic, Blacklock finished at No. 40 on their consensus board as many teams view him as a Day 1 starter. Pairing him with Collins and Hurst would give the Raiders an incredible interior defensive line.
3. FS Antoine Winfield, Minnesota
If the Raiders want to grab another secondary player who can make plays at cornerback and safety, Minnesota’s Antoine Winfiend Jr. makes a ton of seen.
Much like Delpit, Winfield was a ballhawk at Minnesota. In his final year in college, he recorded seven interceptions, two forced fumbles and three sacks as he was named a Unanimous All-American in 2019.
Winfield likely won’t last long in the second round of the draft, but he is an instant starter who would make a ton of sense with Abram in the secondary.
