Addressing the defensive line is starting to become a theme for the Raiders in the first round of many mock drafts. Whether it’s an edge rusher or an interior defensive lineman, the Raiders have to get better upfront if they want to compete with the best teams in the AFC.
Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen several different names mentioned in connection with the Raiders at No. 17. But the player who is starting to become a consensus pick for Las Vegas is Christian Barmore of Alabama.
In a recent mock draft by Joe Marino of The Draft Network, he gave the Raiders the former Alabama star at No. 17. Here’s what he had to say about the potential fit:
“Barmore hails from a successful college program, which appears to be a priority for early picks made by general manager Mike Mayock, and he fills a need for a Raiders team that needs to get better on defense, particularly up front. Barmore is a balanced defender that has dynamic playmaking ability as a pass rusher and run defender and he was dominant in the College Football Playoff.”
As Marino mentioned, big-school production is a must for Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden. And given their need at defensive tackle, Barmore would fit in well. He might need a year to develop considering his lack of experience, but the team does have Maurice Hurst under contract for one more season. That would allow Barmore to rotate in as a rookie and potentially be the team’s starting three-technique by 2022.
Barmore, along with Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Komorah, appear to be the two most likely picks for the Raiders in the first round at this point. However, with free agency happening next month, all that could change rather quickly. Keep an eye on Barmore as a potential selection for the Raiders in the first round.
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