Author: Chris McClain

Raiders add depth in last day of the draft

Mike Mayock and the Las Vegas Raiders added depth with their final picks of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Raiders got things started a little earlier than expected by trading up with the Detroit Lions to select guard John Simpson, out of Clemson. Simpson started 29 games at left guard the last two seasons and helped the team win a National Championship and make it back the following year. Simpson joins a crowded offensive line room that will have plenty of competition whenever offseason workouts begin. Gruden and Mayock used their final pick of the draft (139th overall) to...

Read More

Raiders add versatile safety late in third round

Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden went back to the defensive side of the ball with their final pick of Friday night. After trading out of the 91st overall pick to add two extra picks, the Raiders drafted former Clemson safety/linebacker Tanner Muse with the 100th overall pick. Muse mostly played at the safety position at Clemson but is able to come down into the box and fill in at linebacker. As a senior, Muse recorded 74 tackles, two sacks, five passes defensed and a team-high four interceptions on a team that went up against LSU in the National Championship....

Read More

Raiders bolster offense with 80th, 81st overall picks

Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock added more offensive fire power for Raiders quarterback Derek Carr and the offense in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The Raiders entered Friday with back-to-back picks in the third round and stayed there without trading into the second round. They previously traded away this year’s second-round pick to the Chicago Bears as part of the Khalil Mack trade. After staying put, the Raiders added a couple of explosive pieces with RB/WR Lynn Bowden, Jr. and wide receiver Bryan Edwards (81st overall). Bowden, Jr. is an interesting piece that adds versatility to...

Read More

Raiders to host 2022 NFL Draft

The NFL announced Thursday night just before the Raiders’ 19th overall pick that the city of Las Vegas will get another chance at hosting the NFL Draft in 2022. The Raiders were scheduled to host this year’s draft before the COVID-19 crisis forced it to become the league’s first-ever virtual event. The NFL had already scheduled next year’s draft to take place in Cleveland, so the Raiders received the next available opportunity in a couple of years. It’s still unknown how many of the details will remain the same as they were planned this...

Read More

Mayock, Gruden attack secondary with 19th pick

Many thought that the Las Vegas Raiders front office would try and move away from their original draft picks at 12th and 19th overall but they ultimately ended up keeping them. After selecting former ‘Bama receiver Henry Ruggs III, Mayock and Gruden filled a need at 19th overall by selecting former Buckeye cornerback Damon Arnette. Arnetee played opposite this year’s top cornerback Jeff Okudah, who was taken third overall by the Detroit Lions. The four-year college player finished last year with 35 tackels, one interception and eight pass breakups in 13 starts. He’s a physical corner that likes to play...

Read More