Leading up to the NFL Draft, SIS will be publishing team previews for those with Top 10 picks in the draft. Each preview will look at the players who most make sense for that team at that selection based on stats and scouting factors and will include quotes from that player’s scouting report.
You can find more than 300 scouting reports and much more team analysis at our NFL Draft website.
The State of the Raiders:
The Raiders and 2nd year head coach Josh McDaniels move into the 2023 season without their long-time QB Derek Carr. They have, for the time being, filled that hole with the signing of Jimmy Garoppolo. However a long term answer at the position is still looming and could be addressed here in the draft.
The Raiders are also looking to rebuild defensively in a highly-challenging division with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, and Russel Wilson. The free agent signings of Marcus Epps, Robert Spillane, Duke Shelley, and Brandon Facyson will help but they may not be done bolstering their defense with their plethora of 2023 draft picks.
#7 Overall
Devon Witherspoon – CB – Illinois
Witherspoon has the press-man coverage and ball skills to be a solid starter in any NFL defense, but he will need to improve his open-field tackling and off-man ability to hit his ceiling as a true No. 1 shutdown corner.
The Raiders need plenty of help on the defensive side of the ball and Witherspoon, with his high-end ball skills, can provide immediate help to their secondary.
Christian Gonzalez – CB – Oregon
Gonzalez is a versatile corner with the reactive athleticism, speed, and ball skills to make a huge impact in the NFL, but he may struggle with bigger targets at times.
Gonzalez’s speed and versatility can be of great value to the Raiders’ secondary and position him to be a Day 1 starter.
Tyree Wilson – ED – Texas Tech
Wilson is a long, strong power rusher who can rush the quarterback and defend the run, but a lack of speed and agility may be traits that hold him back early in his career.
Wilson’s power and proven production at the college level allows him to be a good complement opposite Maxx Crosby to get after the QB.
Anthony Richardson – QB – Florida
Richardson is the full package talent wise with the dual-threat ability and arm strength coveted at the next level, but he will need to refine his mechanics and simplify his decision-making to be a more consistent player.
If Richardson is still available, the Raiders can take a shot at a very talented QB that can learn and develop in an NFL system.
Levis is a boom-or-bust prospect who has high-end physical traits and upside to be an All-Pro, but he needs massive improvements to his decision making and accuracy in order to achieve his potential.
Levis has plenty of high-end traits to make him a quality pickup who can grow as a part of the Raiders future plans at QB.
To learn more about the Raiders and their needs, visit their team page on our NFL Draft website here.
