Entering their Week 8 bye week, no team in the AFC has a better record than the Raiders. Since firing Jon Gruden, the Raiders are 2-0 and a big reason why is due to their defense. They have an elite pass rush with two really good cornerbacks in Casey Hayward Jr. and Nate Hobbs.
However, one spot that the Raiders could improve next season is their interior defensive line. Johnathan Hankins is getting older and the other defensive tackles (Quinton Jefferson and Solomon Thomas) are more pass-rushers than run stoppers.
But the 2022 NFL draft is loaded with big defensive tackles that could be had later in the first round who can stop the run.
In a recent mock draft by Josh Edwards of CBS Sports, he has the Raiders taking Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis in the late first-round. Here is what Edwards had to say about the possible selection:
“To be quite honest, it is impressive what Las Vegas has been able to accomplish amidst the drama brought on by Jon Gruden. Derek Carr is playing really well and the team has a record that suggests it is one of the premier franchises in the AFC. Jordan Davis is some reinforcement on that defense next season.”
Davis is a 6’6, 340-pound defensive tackle that is impossible to move. Not only is he a space-eater, but he can also get to the quarterback with his incredible quickness. He has already totaled three tackles for a loss this year along with 1.5 sacks.
If Davis is available late in the first round, he would be an ideal fit between Yannick Ngakoue and Maxx Crosby in 2022. Davis is one of the best prospects in next year’s draft and a clear-cut first-round pick.
