The 2021 draft turned into being one of the Raiders best classes in recent years, adding 5 proven starters across their 7 selections. That said, the Raiders did have a whiff in the first round, and arguably one of the worst whiffs in the 2020s, if not the worst. Las Vegas also failed to retain most of their young talent from the class, with only one player remaining on the roster to this day.
A fun idea I had was a re-draft, but not any re-draft that just picks the best player, I wanted to re-draft the Raiders for 2020 but use the same positions at each selection. For example in 2019 at 4th overall, while I would desperately want to take a defensive tackle, the Raiders selected EDGE Clelin Ferrell and thus they’ll stick at EDGE. A few rules:
- Any player can be selected, but only one’s who were available with that pick to start with, for example a busted first round pick, who still produced but not at a first round value I can’t take in round 3 or 4
- I MUST take a player at the same position that was taken at that selection (QB for QB, RB for RB, etc)
- The overall selections remain the same, I won’t assume a trade does or doesn’t happen
I plan to do a redraft for 2019 to 2024 re-draft and then my own personal “what I would do” 2025 re-draft so keep an eye on those.
Round 1, 17th Overall: T Christian Darrisaw (23rd overall)
Original Pick: T Alex Leatherwood
- As I said earlier, this is probably one of the worst picks of the entire 2020s, if not the worst. Leatherwood played 1200 snaps for the Raiders in 2021 allowing 8 sacks, 18 hits, and 72 pressures where his hits and pressures allowed were the most of any OL in the NFL with 10 penalties. I debated this pick with Bills tackle Spencer Brown, an original third rounder, but the NEXT tackle off the board was Vikings star tackle Christian Darrisaw who in his entire NFL career has allowed just 114 pressures, 22 sacks, and 29 QB hits. Darrisaw has dealt with injuries through his career, but he’s been undoubtedly one of the best tackles in the NFL when on the field, and comparative to what Las Vegas originally had this would be a no brainer.
Round 2, 43rd Overall: SAF Tre’von Moehrig (original pick)
Original Pick: SAF Tre’von Moehrig
- The 2021 safety class was very highly regarded heading into the year, and looking back about half a decade later it hasn’t lived up to what the expected year was. That said, Moehrig has been one of the better safeties to come out of the class. The Raiders likely regret letting Moehrig walk, and while he struggled in man coverage at times Moehrig was a natural run defender, had the ability to play centerfield safety, strong, free, and the nickel. The 27 year...
Silver And Black Pride
