Silver And Black Pride
Previously, Silver and Black Pride dove into the Las Vegas Raiders’ first NFL draft class in Las Vegas. Here, we’re taking a look at what ended up being Jon Gruden’s and Mike Mayock’s final draft with the Raiders, the 2021 class. Let’s just say this one falls in line with the other hauls Gruden and Mayock brought in…
Raiders Stats: 17 games, 17 starts (1 season)
Post-Raiders Stats: 4 games, 0 starts (1 season)
Current Team: N/A
Gruden and Mayock were known for their first-round reaches, with Leatherwood being one of the biggest they made. After starting the first four games of his rookie season at right tackle, the Alabama product struggled mightily in pass protection and had to be switched to guard, which felt like a desperation move to keep the first-round pick on the field. When Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler took over the following season, Leatherwood didn’t even make the team at the end of training camp. The Chicago Bears claimed him, but he only played 32 offensive snaps in Chicago before getting cut ahead of the 2023 campaign, and then spending some time with the Cleveland Browns’ and Los Angeles Chargers’ practice squads.
Raiders Stats: 66 games, 297 tackles, 8 TFLs, 6 INTs, 29 PDs (4 seasons)
Post-Raiders Stats: 16 games, 103 tackles, 14 TFLs, 1 INT, 2 PDs (1 season)
Current Team: Carolina Panthers
Moehrig was one of the few picks that Gruden and Mayock hit on. The safety was a four-year starter for the Silver and Black, showing off some versatility by lining up at free safety to begin his career and then playing in the box more recently. He got better and more productive every year before landing a three-year, $51 million contract with the Panthers during free agency last summer. The TCU product hasn’t received any postseason recognition yet, but Pro Bowls and/or All-Pros should be in his future if he keeps producing as he has lately. Moehrig’s 14 TFLs were the most of any safety and second-most of any off-ball defender last season.
Raiders Stats: 56 games, 85 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 17 TFLs, 4 FFs (4 seasons)
Post-Raiders Stats: N/A
Current Team: Raiders
Technically, Koonce is the first player in franchise history to be drafted and sign two contract extensions in Las Vegas. Granted, that’s because he’s received one-year, “prove-it” deals during the last two offseasons after missing all of 2024 with a torn ACL. The pass-rusher is looking to recapture the magic he had during the second half of the 2023 campaign, where he recorded eight sacks in nine games.
Raiders Stats: 54 games, 288 tackles, 10 TFLs, 10 sacks, 6 PDs (4 seasons)
Post-Raiders Stats: 13 games, 73 tackles, 5 TFLs, 1 sack, 7 PDs (1 season)
Current Team: Atlanta Falcons
No one was shedding any tears...
