Silver And Black Pride
With quarterbacks going early, Las Vegas goes BPA and reinforces trenches
It’s finally here. The NFL Draft week has descended up on us with the three-day event kicking off on Thursday with Round 1.
With a new general manager and (not so new, but permanent) head coach in tow, the Las Vegas Raiders have ample opportunity to build a roster in Tom Telesco’s and Antonio Pierce’s vision. The Silver & Black GM and head coach, respectively, embark on their combined journey with the No. 13 overall pick.
Unless the Raiders maneuver up or down, that’s where the team is slated to pick in the opening round Thursday. Telesco said the team has plans in place to trade up, pick, or trade down so without further ado, let’s get to this mock draft:
With quarterbacks going 1-2-3 and the Raiders unable to move up and staying pat at No. 13, I was left staring at two prime prospects that fit the best player available (BPA) mold: This Oregon State trench warrior or a throwback to Raiders cornerbacks Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell. In the end, the pick was Fuaga.
Football games are decided in the trenches and adding the powerful and experienced Fuaga gives Las Vegas a plug-and-play type prospect who can immediately jump into the fray at right tackle and potentially win the job outright. He started 25 games at right tackle at Oregon State and has minor flaws. Fuaga has the strength, footwork, and zone blocking scheme experience to be a fit with the Silver & Black.
Another player from the Pacific Northwest that’s also BPA. The Raiders are in dire need of another starter at guard along the offensive line and snaring Powers-Johnson here gives offensive line coach James Cregg a mauler with an absolute mean streak. Like Fuaga, Powers-Johnson is violence personified which is a tailor fit for the type of football team Pierce is assembling.
Profiled as a center, Powers-Johnson has the physical attributes and skillset to slide over and be an effective guard. He’s equally as agile and light on his feet as he is powerful and a brute which makes him a similar lineman to the Raiders’ No. 13 overall pick above. You can never have too many linemen who are both mean and effective.
Telesco has hinted heavily Las Vegas is going the committee route at running back. And there’s one element the tailback room in the desert is missing: Pure unadulterated speed. With his scintillating 4.39 second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, Benson also brings the strength to absorb contact — rarely goes down on initial hit — and ability to make defenders miss for big gains.
Running upright (Benson has dubbed himself as Forrest Gump with his running style) with a plant-and-go style with burst, Benson is a...
