The 2021 NFL Draft sets up really well for the Las Vegas Raiders in the first round. There will be an abundance of pass rushers, linebackers and cornerbacks available to them at No. 17 and all are worthy of that selection. It will be up to Mike Mayock and company to weigh risk vs. safety in this class.
One of the players with the highest ceilings in this draft class is former Miami Hurricane defensive end Gregory Rousseau. As a redshirt freshman, he recorded 15.5 sacks after transitioning over from wide receiver in high school. But he opted out of the 2020 season and we are left with only a handful of games to evaluate him.
In a recent beat writer mock draft at The Athletic, Vic Tafur had the Raiders selecting Rousseau with the No. 17 pick. Here were his thoughts on the possible pairing:
The Raiders were taking either (Kwity) Paye or Rousseau, forget this best-player-available nonsense. They need a pass rusher badly, and Rousseau is 6-foot-7, 265 pounds with speed, power, good hands and bend. He had 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss in 2019 while learning a new position — he was a safety and receiver in high school and then put on 30 pounds — and his high motor shows on the tape. Rousseau opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 virus. He can line up immediately on passing downs opposite Maxx Crosby, with Clelin Ferrell moving inside.
Rousseau needs a strong defensive line coach as he is very new to the position. But his talent and potential off the charts. If the Raiders want to gamble on upside and hope that Rod Marinelli can develop him, this is a worthwhile swing at a pass rusher who could be dominant in the near future.
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