Now that 2020-2021 season is officially over, it’s time to look ahead to the offseason and the NFL Draft. This appears to be a year in which the Raiders will significantly change their defense in regards to the personnel on the field and the coaching staff on the sideline.
But what position on the defensive side of ball will the team try to upgrade? Their best bet early in the first round might be at defensive end. Maxx Crosby and Clelin Ferrell both had their moments this season, but the team needs to get more out of their edge defenders.
In a recent mock draft by Pro Football Focus, the site had the Raiders selecting former Georgia defensive end Azeez Ojulari. Here is the site’s reasoning behind the pick:
“While the Raiders have thrown a good deal of resources at their defensive line, they still finished 28th in team pass-rushing grade. They definitely don’t have a pure speed rushing threat on the roster like Ojulari, either. While they’d ideally add some interior help, as well, this isn’t quite the class to do it.”
Ojulari is an extremely young prospect as he was just a redshirt sophomore in 2020. However, he was extremely productive, totaling 9.5 sacks in 10 games in an all-SEC schedule. He’s a bit undersized, but his speed and explosiveness is something this defense desperately lacks.
The Raiders need to get faster on the defensive line and Ojulari might be the best-case pick for the team in the middle of the first round. Keep an eye on the SEC star for the Raiders during the 2021 draft cycle.
