Las Vegas Raiders 2021 NFL Draft Class Overview

With the 2021 NFL draft now over, the wait for the regular season begins. The Las Vegas Raiders, as usual, were a hot topic during the player selection meeting for the wrong reasons. Taking Alabama offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood 17th overall might’ve been the most controversial one.

The Raiders rebounded on day two though, adding an instant starter to their porous defense. It will certainly be a long time until we can accurately grade this class but this is how it stacks up as of now.

Round 1, Pick 17: Alex Leatherwood, OT (Alabama)

The most shocking pick of the first round by far, the Raiders very likely could have gotten Leatherwood in the second round. This is not to say the Alabama product is a bad player. After all, he’s probably the best run-blocking offensive tackle in the class. He is a massive player at 6’6″ and 312 pounds. On the other hand, Leatherwood is very much a work in progress against faster pass rushers and his pass sets need a bit of work. This pick seems like one Tom Cable was likely campaigning hard for so it is up to him to make it worth it because the value is not there.

Grade: C

Round 2, Pick 43: Trevon Moehrig, S (TCU)

A player many thought the Raiders might make in the first round, Moehrig instantly becomes the Raiders starting free safety. The TCU standout is a great fit playing the middle third in Gus Bradley’s defense and gives that side of the ball a much-needed chess piece. Moehrig is a selection that changes the outlook of the whole defense, Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden knocked this out of the park.

Grade: A