Dueling Mock Drafts: Cornerback or offensive tackle in 1st Round?

Looking at potential draft hauls if the Raiders address a need other than quarterback at pick 13

If the Las Vegas Raiders don’t select a quarterback with the 13th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, they’re widely expected to address one of the team’s other big needs, cornerback or offensive tackle. The Raiders should have plenty of options at either position with their first-round selection, but the draft is one big domino effect where every pick impacts the next one.

So, using Pro Football Focus’ mock draft simulator, let’s take a look at how Las Vegas’ draft hauls would differ if the front office opts for a corner or offensive lineman on day one. Both drafts below will include a brief explanation and assessment of how well the team’s needs have been filled.

Also, you can vote for your preference between the two in the poll at the bottom.

Cornerback

• Round 1, Pick 13: CB Terrion Arnold, Alamaba (PFF Grade: A-)
• Round 2, Pick 44: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington (PFF Grade: A)
• Round 3, Pick 77: OT Blake Fisher, Notre Dame (PFF Grade: B+)
• Round 4, Pick 112: RB Tyrone Tracy, Purdue (PFF Grade: A-)
• Round 5, Pick 148: DL Khristian Boyd, Northern Iowa (PFF Grade: A-)
• Round 6, Pick 208: LB Steele Chambers, Ohio State (PFF Grade: A)
• Round 7, Pick 223: OT Anim Dankwah, Howard (PFF Grade: B+)
• Round 7, Pick 229: LB Darius Muasau, UCLA (PFF Grade: B+)
• Overall PFF Draft Grade: A-

For a few notes on how this draft played out, an offensive tackle didn’t come off the board until the 10th pick — Olumuyiwa Fashanu to the Jets — so both JC Latham and Taliese Fuaga were available for the Raiders. Obviously, the goal here was to see how the draft plays out by prioritizing a cornerback, though. Also, there were no trades so Minnesota kept its 11th and 23rd overall selections, nabbing Bo Nix with the latter selection which is how Penix fell to Las Vegas in the second round.

Team Needs

In addition to cornerback, Las Vegas was able to fill one of its biggest needs with the Washington quarterback. How realistic that is on draft day is up for interpretation but, for this exercise at least, the Silver and Black managed to walk away with a signal-caller for the future.

After that, protecting Penix’s blind side was a priority and the Raiders got a decent mid-round option in Fisher. The Notre Dame product isn’t a sure thing as an immediate starter as Bleacher Report’s Brandon Thorn noted that Fisher “will require a plan for development” as a pass protector. However, the potential is there and he only allowed 15 pressures last season, per PFF.

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Day 3 started strong for the Raiders here. They were able to get a running back who can catch passes and execute outside zone runs well in Tracy, as well as a defensive line project who could be the long-term solution behind John Jenkins in Boyd.

However, this scenario does leave the team pretty thin at wide receiver and guard, and without another starting option for the latter. Those aren’t pressing needs, especially after Cody Whitehair’s signing, but it would still leave the roster with a few unanswered questions.

Offensive Tackle

• Round 1, Pick 13: OT JC Latham, Alabama (PFF Grade: B-)
• Round 2, Pick 44: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington (PFF Grade: A)
• Round 3, Pick 77: CB Andru Phillips, Kentucky (PFF Grade: B+)
• Round 4, Pick 112: LB Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State (PFF Grade: A-)
• Round 5, Pick 148: OL Isaiah Adams, Illinois (PFF Grade: A-)
• Round 6, Pick 208: WR Joshua Cephus, UTSA (PFF Grade: C+)
• Round 7, Pick 223: RB Isaiah Davis, South Dakota State (PFF Grade: B+)
• Round 7, Pick 229: WR Dominic Lovett, Georgia (PFF Grade: B-)
• Overall PFF Draft Grade: B+

In full disclosure, Fuaga was swiped away by the Broncos with the 12th pick here, leaving Latham as one of the best remaining right tackles. Granted, the Raiders did have other options like Troy Fautanu, Olumuyiwa Fashanu and Amarius Mims, so it just became a matter of personal preference at that point.

Penix fell to the second round again and was taken to balance out the mock drafts by keeping the quarterback situations even. However, it is worth noting that Spencer Rattler was available at No. 77.

Also, the pickings were slim at cornerback in the third round as Phillips was the highest-rated one available while Renardo Green, Jarrian Jones and D.J. James were the next-best options.

Team Needs

Las Vegas’ offensive line would be in pretty good shape with Latham as an immediate starter at right tackle and Adams as a versatile backup to fill out the depth chart. Also, the defense gets a potential replacement for Robert Spillane or Divine Deablo, both of whom are entering contract years, in Eichenberg. The Silver and Black also had the option to take Tracy if that spot.

The Raiders were able to pick up an intriguing running back in Davis, though. According to NFL Media’s Lance Zierlein, the former Jackrabbit has the potential to be a three-down back, making him a good value selection in the seventh round. Also, the offense filled out the depth chart at wide receiver with a couple of later picks.

In this scenario, the two biggest holes left on the roster would be an elite talent at cornerback and a long-term solution at defensive tackle.

Don’t forget to vote for your choice of these two mock drafts and sound off in the comments section with your rationale. If you don’t have a commenting account already, you’ll need to create one but the steps are pretty easy and it’s a seamless process. Also, we have full-time moderators to enforce the Community Guidelines.