The Raiders still have seven games left in the 2021 season, but it’s never too early to look ahead to the offseason. The Raiders will likely be ushering in a new coaching staff and maybe even a new general manager.
But whoever has the final say over the roster will likely find that the same positions to fix. One such spot is at defensive tackle as the Raiders just don’t have a long-term solution at that position.
In a recent mock draft by Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports, he has the Raiders addressing their interior defensive line by selecting DeMarvin Leal of Texas A&M. Here is what he had to say about the possible fit between the SEC star and the Raiders:
“Leal hasn’t been as dominant in ’21 as he was in ’20 but not only does he easily pass the eye test, he’s proven he can take over games against some of the best players in the country. Originally a defensive end, Leal, at 6-foot-4, 290, has the versatility and athleticism to play up and down the line, he just needs to play with more consistency from one play to the next.”
The Raiders could easily use their 2022 first-round pick to upgrade their offensive line or wide receiver corps, but the interior defensive line isn’t a bad guess either.
With Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue both under contract in 2022, the duo could use some help inside. Leal is an elite athlete that has the potential to be a game-wrecker in the mold of Chris Jones at defensive tackle. He needs to become more consistent as Wilson mentioned, but the talent is there.
Look for the SEC star to put up incredible numbers at the NFL Combine and likely cement himself as a top-20 pick. He should be on the shortlist of possible picks by the Raiders in next April’s draft.
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