New guys: Meet the five players the Raiders selected to cap NFL Draft

By Case Keefer (contact)

Published Saturday, April 30, 2022 | 10:10 a.m.

Updated Saturday, April 30, 2022 | 4:42 p.m.

The Raiders achieved symmetry through their six 2022 NFL Draft selections. They took two offensive linemen, two defensive linemen and two running backs.

“Those were the players that at the time we felt were the best available players so we took those players," Raiders first-year general manager Dave Ziegler said. "That was the philosophy we talked about going in, so we stuck to that.”

The trenches on both sides of the ball were a clear need, so it made sense when they started their draft by taking Memphis offensive lineman Dylan Parham in the third round Thursday night. The surprise started on Saturday’s final day of the draft, where Las Vegas held five of its six total picks this year.

The Raiders traded up to take Georgia running back Zamir White early in the day during the fourth round, and then capped their picks by selecting UCLA running back Brittain Brown. With high-priced rushing threats Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake already on the roster, the backfield was not considered an area of need.

The other Day 3 picks — LSU defensive tackle Neil Farrell Jr., Tennessee defensive tackle Matthew Butler and Ohio State offensive lineman Thayer Munford — were more along the lines of projections.

Meet the five Raiders taken on the final day of the NFL Draft below, and read about Parham here.

Zamir White, Georgia running back, 122^nd overall pick (fourth round)

6-foot, 214 pounds

College career: White led the Bulldogs in rushing in each of the last two seasons including for last year’s College Football Playoff national championship team. He had 160 carries for 856 yards and 11 touchdowns in the 2021-2022 season. White, a former five-star recruit out of Scotland High School in Larinburg, N.C., was Georgia’s every-down back while James Cook, who went in the second round to the Buffalo Bills, was utilized more often in the passing game.

Where he fits: The Raiders’ running back room is crowded with Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, Brandon Bolden and Ameer Abdullah, making it a slight surprise that they used their second draft pick of the year on the position. It might be another sign that Las Vegas is willing, if not ready, to move on from starting running back Josh Jacobs after this season. White could profile as the Raiders’ featured back long-term after the Raiders declined Jacobs’ fifth-year option on Friday.

In his Words: “I’m like a (Nick) Chubb or (Leonard) Fournette type of guy. Raiders-wise, my visit down there went great as far as meeting with the coaches and talking ball. It felt like them getting to know me went great.”

Neil Farrell Jr., LSU defensive lineman, 126^th overall pick (fourth round)

6-foot, 214 pounds

College Career: Like White, Farrell helped power a national championship team in college. As a sophomore, he was a part of LSU’s undefeated run to the 2020 College Football Playoff title. He got even better in his final two seasons, culminating with an All-SEC second team berth this year. Farrell then raised his draft profile at the Senior Bowl where he was named the best defensive lineman for one of the two teams.

Where he fits: Defensive line was a clear need for the Raiders, and Farrell could play himself into the rotation immediately starting next season. Longtime veteran Johnathan Hankins and free-agent acquisition Bilal Nichols are expected to get most of the snaps on the inside, but there will be plenty of competition for reps alongside them. Farrell figures to push free agent signings like Vernon Butler and Kyle Peko for playing time.

In his Words: “I feel like I’m starting at a high level. I’ve still got things to work on and improve on every day like every other player in the world but it’s going to be fun.”

Matthew Butler, Tennessee defensive lineman, 175^th overall pick (fifth round)

6-foot-5, 297 pounds

College Career: Butler broke out in his fifth and final season with the Volunteers, tallying 5.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss. He’s regarded as a strong interior pass-rusher, always a coveted skillset in the modern NFL. Butler dropped a bit from where he was expected to go in the draft as he most scouting sites had him as a third-round pick.

Where he fits: Butler lands in the same situation as Farrell, though the two look like they could complement each other. Farrell is more of a burly run-stuffer, while Butler shot up draft boards for his ability to pressure quarterbacks.

In his Words: “I just came into this ‘COVID year, super senior year,’ whatever you like to call it, with a vengeance. I didn’t want to be denied in any aspect of my game or my life so that’s the mentality I take every day.”

Thayer Munford, Ohio State offensive lineman, 238^th overall pick (seventh round)

6-foot-6, 328 pounds

College Career: Munford played both guard and tackle for the Buckeyes, helping pave the way for one of college football’s best offenses for the last four years. He was a team captain last year and made at least honorable mention All-Big Ten team every year of his college career. He’s scouted as being better in pass protection than clearing space for the run.  

Where he fits: Ziegler said he liked versatile offensive linemen after selecting Farrell last night, and Munford could also be described that way. The Raiders will likely try him out at several positions across the line and see where he’s the best fit. It’s still probably the weakest part of Las Vegas’ roster, so Munford has a good chance to make the team as at least a depth piece.

In his Words: “I knew they had interest in me. I told them I can play guard or tackle. I told them, ‘I want to win. I want to help this team win.’”

Brittain Brown, UCLA running back 250^th overall pick (seventh round)

6-foot-1, 205 pounds

College Career: Brown played two seasons at Duke out of Cherokee High School in Canton, Ga., before transferring to UCLA. He was a part of a running back duo for the last two years with the Bruins and started to excel in the pass game with 24 catches for 213 yards. NFL scouting reports indicate he could be a receiving threat out of the backfield as a professional.  

Where he fits: Good question. The Raiders seem to have far too many running backs with seven now on the roster after selecting White and Brown. None of the non-rookies are signed past next season, however, so there’s a chance new coach Josh McDaniels sees White and Brown as a potential long-term tandem for the Raiders. If Brown can live up to his reported ability in the pass game, the two would possess complementary skillsets.

In his Words: “I’d say I’ve got an aggressive playing style but I’m able to do a lot of things that running backs must do in today’s game. I can catch the ball outside the backfield. I can run in between the tackles. I like to model my game after Adrian Peterson because that’s my favorite running back. I think the way he runs is the way you’re supposed to run the ball.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or