Potential mid-round NFL Draft targets for Las Vegas Raiders

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Wednesday, April 20, 2022 | 2 a.m.

The NFL Draft is eight days away, but because Las Vegas traded its top two selections (plus several more in next year’s draft) to acquire wide receiver Davante Adams from Green Bay, it will be nine days until the Raiders make a pick.

That doesn’t mean the new brain trust of head coach Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler will get to spend the next week-plus kicking back. Though the Raiders will sit out the first and second rounds (barring a trade up), they’ve still got a day 2 pick (No. 86 overall) and there figure to be quality prospects available through the middle rounds.

A look at some mid-round players who could make sense for Las Vegas:

Sean Rhyan, OT/OG, UCLA

Fans may be reluctant to draft another offensive lineman after the way first-rounder Alex Leatherwood scuffled through his rookie season, but the 6-foot-5, 320-pound Rhyan profiles as a different type of player. Like Leatherwood, he’s viewed as a tackle by some and a guard by others, but unlike Leatherwood his biggest strength is his technical precision. Rhyan projects as a low-penalty blocker who will execute his assignments, whether that’s on the outside or the interior.

Mock consensus: 3rd round

Bo Melton, WR, Rutgers

The Raiders have a dangerous collection of pass catchers, with Adams fronting a group that also includes mismatch-inducing tight end Darren Waller and slot merchant Hunter Renfrow. Those guys are going to draw a lot of attention. The best way to complement them may be with an ultra-fast outside receiver like Melton, who ran a 4.34 40-yard dash at the combine. Melton’s downfield ability could help keep defenses honest and create occasional big plays via busted coverages. The 5-foot-11 Melton caught 102 passes for 1,256 yards and 12 touchdowns over the last two years at Rutgers.

Mock consensus: 4th-6th round

Rachaad White, RB, Arizona State

The Raiders will have a decision to make on Josh Jacobs, who is soon to be eligible for a fifth-year extension that would run about $8 million. That’s a lot of money for a running back. If Ziegler and McDaniels choose wisely, this could be the right time to replace Jacobs’ production with a modestly-priced mid-round back like White. As a senior at Arizona State, White ran for 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns on 5.5 yards per carry, and he showed some receiving chops by catching 43 balls for 456 yards.

Mock consensus: 3rd-4th round

Greg Dulcich, TE, UCLA

Tight end is not necessarily a position of need at this very moment, but considering that Waller is heading into his age 30 season and missed significant time to injury last year, it might not be a bad idea to invest a third- or fourth-round pick there. Dulcich doesn’t profile as much of a blocker at the next level, but he looks natural running routes and can stretch the field down the seam. He caught 42 passes for 725 yards in 2021 and ran a 4.69 40-yard dash at the combine.

Mock consensus: 2nd-3rd round

Cordale Flott, CB, LSU

Flott has risen up some mock drafts since the end of the season, going from a sixth-round type to a potential Day 2 pick. There’s a lot to like, starting with his 6-foot-3 frame and his experience playing inside and outside at LSU. There are also concerns, however, starting with his rail-thin body (he’s listed at 175 pounds by LSU, and that’s generous). It could take Flott a year just to put on enough weight to hold up against NFL competition, but if he develops he could become a real chess piece in the secondary.

Mock consensus: 4th-6th round

Darrian Beavers, LB, Cincinnati

NFL teams are looking for fast, athletic linebackers to match up against new-age offenses, but the Raiders had success last year by putting Denzel Perryman in the middle and letting him thump. Beavers is more in the Perryman mold; it remains to be seen if Ziegler and McDaniels value that type of linebacker, but at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds and coming off a season in which he notched 11.0 tackles for loss, Beavers is worth considering.

Mock consensus: 3rd-4th round

Matthew Butler, DT, Tennessee

From a players’ perspective, playing interior defensive line for the Raiders has suddenly become a plum proposition. With rushers Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones forcing attention to the outside, a quick, upfield-minded tackle could create problems in the opposing backfield. Butler, who produced 5.0 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in 2021, could be that guy.

Mock consensus: 3rd round

Cameron Thomas, Edge, San Diego State

Thomas turned in a beast of a junior season at San Diego State, racking up 10.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss, making him one of the nation’s most productive edge defenders. At 6-foot-5, 270 pounds, he’s a pure end; the Raiders have Crosby and Jones, so Thomas would likely spend his first season or two in a rotational role. But you can never have too many pass rushers.

Mock consensus: 2nd-3^rd round

Smoke Monday, S, Auburn

Safety is another position that may not be an immediate need for Las Vegas, but Monday was productive in the SEC (9.0 tackles for loss, one interception, five passes defensed in 2021) and may be able to swing between the strong and free safety roles.

Mock consensus: 5th round

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.