Las Vegas Raiders 2023 Mock Draft: Do the Raiders draft a QB?

With less than a month to go, the Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up for a big draft weekend at the end of April. Equipped with the most draft picks this year (12), coach Josh McDaniels will look to replenish his squad with some youthful talent from across the nation.

Below is a full list of the Raiders’ 2023 draft picks:

• Round 1, Pick 7
• Round 2, Pick 38
• Round 3, Pick 70
• Round 3, Pick 100 (via New York Giants)
• Round 4, Pick 109
• Round 5, Pick 141
• Round 5, Pick 144 (via Atlanta Falcons)
• Round 5, Pick 174 (compensatory)
• Round 6, Pick 204 (via Dallas Cowboys)
• Round 6, Pick 214 (compensatory)
• Round 7, Pick 220 (compensatory)
• Round 7, Pick 231 (compensatory)

Despite signing veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo this offseason, could the Raiders be on the lookout for a gunslinger of the future? Who knows. But one thing is for certain: It’ll be a wild ride come April 26th in Kansas City.

So without further ado, here is Sactown Sports’ first mock draft for the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Round 1, Pick 7 – CB Christian Gonzalez

College: Oregon

In this scenario, Las Vegas doesn’t trade up and miss out on the top-tier QB prospects. That may not be the worst thing though, instead drafting a lockdown cornerback in Christian Gonzalez.

Gonzalez is what elite CBs in the NFL are made of, possessing a unique blend of athleticism and technique. He moves so fluidly in between his breaks, showcasing that at the combine last month. Throw in a blazing 4.38 40-yard dash and a 1.54 10-yard split, the Oregon Duck is at the top of his class.

Smooth like 🧈 https://t.co/dNBdNdafI5

— Amiliano “Amil” Fragoso (@AmilianoFragoso) March 3, 2023

Playing for both Oregon and Colorado, Gonzalez finished his college career with 128 total tackles, 17 passes defended and four INTs. Las Vegas needs a No.1 CB more than life itself, making this a simple pick for them.

Also, he’s only 20 years old. Nuts.

Round 2, Pick 38 – LB Drew Sanders

College: Arkansas

Truth be told, this guy might be off the board in the first round. But if he’s not, the Raiders should snatch him up asap.

Drew Sanders was a dawg for Arkansas, recording 103 total tackles in one season. To put it in perspective, he had 33 tackles COMBINED in the previous two years with Alabama. Throw in 9.5 sacks and five passes defended, Sanders can do a little bit of everything at the next level.

He had a stellar combine as well, finishing first amongst linebackers in grading.

Losing Denzel Perryman to the Houston Texans, Las Vegas needs another tackling machine in the middle of the park. Sanders can be that guy for the next 5 to 10 years as a Raider.

Round 3, Pick 70 – OL John Michael Schmitz

College: Minnesota

Another draft riser that could be gone before Vegas picks again: Minnesota’s John Michael Schmitz.

JMS has the makings of being an elite offensive lineman at the next level, particularly at the center position. He finished as the highest-graded center in college football last season at 92.4 overall. Despite being larger for the position (6’4″, 320 pounds), Schmitz moves exceptionally well and it showed at the Senior Bowl.

The Raiders have to protect Jimmy G by any means necessary. JMS can do that for years to come on the interior, both at center and guard.

Round 3, Pick 100 – DL Moro Ojomo

College: Texas

Texas’ Moro Ojomo is a versatile player by nature, able to play all across the defensive line. His 40-time was solid for an interior defensive lineman (5.04), and so was his 10-yard split (1.77).

But Ojomo uses power over everything to get into the backfield.

His production increased each season, finishing with a 90.6 PFF grade in his fifth year. He racked up 95 total tackles, 13.5 TFLs and five sacks for the Texas Longhorns. He also has a relentless motor, never giving up on the play.

And the craziest part: He’s still only 21 years old.

Round 4, Pick 109 – OL Juice Scruggs

College: Penn State

Similar to Schmitz, Penn State’s Juice Scruggs is a versatile interior offensive lineman. Playing both guard and center in college, Scruggs was great as a two-year starter, finishing with a 71.5 overall PFF score. In 480 pass-blocking snaps, he only allowed one sack and three QB hurries last season.

But he does come with drawbacks.

His speed (5.22 40-time) is less than desirable, meaning he could get exposed by quicker DLs at the next level. If his best fit is at center in the NFL, that might push him down other team’s big boards this month.

The Raiders look past that however, taking Scruggs as more protection for the QB next season.

Round 5, Pick 141 – OL Andrew Vorhees

College: USC

If not for a torn ACL at the combine, USC’s Andrew Vorhees would not be on the board here.

The California native was one of the highest-graded offensive linemen last season, recording an 81.9 overall grade in 2022. Previously playing at left tackle, USC moved him inside and he flourished immediately, only allowing two sacks last year. At 6’6″, 310 pounds, Vorhees has the makings of a starting guard in the NFL.

Unfortunately, he tore his ACL at the combine this month. Even still, the six-year starter returned to benchpress 38 reps after suffering the injury. Unreal.

Las Vegas hopes he can battle back from knee injuries to become another starter on the new, revamped O-Line that they are building this offseason.

Round 5, Pick 144 – QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson

College: UCLA

The Raiders have to take a quarterback in the draft right? Well, they do here with UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson.

A five-year starter, DTR finished college with 10,710 passing yards, 88 passing TDs and 36 INTs. A dual-threat QB out of the backfield, he also had 1826 rushing yards and 28 solo scores, making him dangerous in the open field. Under coach Chip Kelly, Thompson-Robinson improved his decision-making and accuracy over the years, showing that experience has paid off for him.

He still has work to do though. Judgment and vision concerns still linger, likely leaving him battling for a roster spot in the fall.

It’s either him or Georgia’s Stetson Bennett at this spot. My pick is that the Raiders take a chance on bringing the Bishop Gorman high school product home.

Round 5, Pick 174 – DE Isaiah Land 

College: FAMU

Casual fans won’t know much about Florida A&M’s Isaiah Land, but they should get familiar real quick.

Land was awesome for the Rattlers, finishing with 29 sacks, 42.5 TFLs and 89 total tackles in four seasons. His best year came in 2021, recording an absurd 19 sacks and 43 tackles in 12 games. Slim but powerful, the HBCU product has a chance to be a real contributor in the NFL.

But his combine performance didn’t help his draft stock much, running a 4.62 40-time. Couple that with a lean frame and length concerns, it could be an uphill climb for Land.

Las Vegas should take a chance on him though, hoping that with a year or two of polish, he can put the natural instincts to good use of the edge.

Round 6, Pick 204 – S Kaevon Merriweather

College: Iowa

Any team in the AFC can use more tackling specialists in the secondary, and Iowa’s Kaevon Merriweather can be just that.

Playing four seasons in the Big Ten, Merriweather racked up a whopping 117 total tackles. He also had three INTs and nine passes defended in 33 games played. A defensive leader, the Michigan native can do a little bit of everything from the safety spot.

The trick is can he do it at the next level?

Running a subpar 4.62 40-yard dash raises some concerns, especially considering the speed in the NFL today. But the Raiders can use another backup safety that likes to hit people in the open field.

Round 6, Pick 214 – TE Cameron Latu

College: Alabama

Cameron Latu, 23, played four seasons for the Crimson Tide, skipping the 2020 season due to COVID-19. The Minnesotan became a valuable offensive weapon for quarterback Bryce Young, snagging 56 catches in two seasons. He also finished his collegiate career with 787 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.

Latu had a less-than-stellar combine, however, finishing 11th in tight end rankings. He also finished 13th in production for TEs, getting a score of 63.

Round 7, Pick 220 – CB Al Blades

College: Miami

Round 7, Pick 231 – WR Antoine Green

College: North Carolina

Stay locked in at Sactown Sports for all things NFL & Raiders.

Follow @AmilianoFragoso

Newsletter