NFL MOCK Draft Monday: Raiders First, Second Round

In the first of many NFL MOCK drafts that we will provide, we look at what could be a viable first and second-round draft scenario.

HENDERSON, Nev.—As the NFL Draft quickly approaches, the Las Vegas Raiders have many needs.

After spending significant time around Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler at the NFL Combine last week, and subsequently speaking to multiple NFL Coaches, Executives, and players, we offer you our first MOCK Draft Monday based on players we know that the Raiders have significant interest in, and scenarios we have had presented to us by people within the confines of the National Football League.

In this MOCK Draft, we project all four as starters by the end of the 2023 season, with three starting in week one.

In this MOCK Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders are trading their seventh overall pick to the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints have needs, but with the signing of Derek Carr and a looming crisis with the salary cap, they need an all-in mentality now.

With a bevy of QBs taken early, the Raiders need players, so moving down makes sense, and the Saints don't have as many needs and can get an immediate impact player that slipped because of an early run on QBs.

In exchange for the Raiders' first-round pick, in our scenario, the Raiders receive the Saints' 29th overall selection (first round), the Saints' first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Saints' 2nd round (41st overall) and 3rd round (73rd overall).

So here is what we project would happen in this scenario:

1st Round 29 Overall:

After adding a veteran QB such as Jarrett Stidham (not Aaron Rodgers, Jimmy Garoppolo, or Mac Jones), the Las Vegas Raiders select Calijah Kancey DT PITT.

The Raiders would immediately add an impact DT with speed, toughness, and a constant motor.  He would be an immediate starter.

Our colleagues at NFLDraftBible.com describe the Panther as, "Prospects who combine unteachable traits and technical refinement early in their college career are somewhat rare. Calijah Kancey fits that description, as the explosive and fluid athlete complements his excellent movement skills with a wide range of hand moves. When the talented defender engages first or attacks a lineman's hands, he is extremely difficult to stop thanks to his accurate and well-timed hands, upper body strength and lateral quickness. What's more, he has the flexibility to consistently get below a blocker's reach and rip through into the backfield. Further, he consistently plays with a pass rush plan and strings together multiple hand moves. Although his game is predicated on burst and refined hand usage, he keeps linemen guessing by combining his first step, heavy hands and natural feel for leverage to manufacture substantial power. As a result of his low pad level and wide base, Kancey also has a strong anchor in run defense and can make plays through engagement. Despite his size, he can stack, shed and fill against the run; Kancey also windows (uses his athleticism to functionally two-gap) at the first level of the defense. When matched up against more than one lineman, the talented defender gets skinny and uses a hump move to split the double team. As a tackler, he is efficient and plays with a high motor. All in all, Kancey is a nightmare in one-on-one situations as a pass rusher and against the run to the extent that he was regularly held and double (or even triple) teamed."

2nd Round 39th Overall: Hendon Hooker QB Tennessee

Josh McDaniels loved the accuracy of Hendon Hooker.  Hooker is active outside of the pocket and can make plays with his feet. Patrick Mahomes stays in the pocket until the last minute. Most dual-threat QBs do not have pocket discipline.  That is a concern of McDaniels.

McDaniels isn't against a dual-threat QB, but he is against one with happy feet. Hooker is a true dual-threat with a high accuracy rating and skills that wow.  He has to develop, but after spending time with the youngster, that is simply because the system will be different, and he has the acumen to adjust.

Yes, he is coming from an injury, but every team I spoke to has no concerns and is pleased. In this scenario, Stidham can start, and if he plays well, you slow play Hooker. If Stidham struggles, Hooker has a few weeks to adjust to the NFL, and with his pocket awareness, athleticism, and an arm that can make the throws, the Raiders finally have their QB.

Per our friends at NFLDraftBible.com, "There is a lot to like about the Tennessee signal-caller both physically and mechanically. As a passer, Hooker shows a compact release, where he uses his frame to create velocity on multiple drive throws. He displays an effortless flick of the wrist, showing off his arm talent. His ability to reach all parts of the field is uncanny, with multiple throws from the far hash into the wide part of the field...He seems to throw only one speed, ripping the ball on swing or dig routes that favor more of a layered throw...Hooker is actually better when the windows get tighter, showing improved accuracy and ball placement in the red zone. His mentality shows here, willing himself as a runner to gain every yard especially when the endzone is in reach. He runs with intention, and while he isn't a twitchy ball carrier, he has adequate speed and is a force in the open field, bigger than many of those tackling him. While Hooker tends to take care of the ball in passing concepts, the same cannot be said as a runner or in the pocket, where his ball security is a real issue. When playing in rhythm, Hooker shows he can slice the seam or drive the ball with accuracy into tight windows. Issues arise when his feet become lazy, as you can watch him stand flat-footed in the pocket, looking for his primary target to out-leverage defensive backs. A high-level thrower that is a constant threat to move the chains or exploit defenses with his arm velocity, Hooker has many of the tangible aspects desired by NFL teams."

2nd Round 41st Overall: Cody Mauch OL NDSU, this is the type of player that the Raiders covet. One GM told me, "There is no wondering why the Raiders love him. He is a Maxx Crosby on the offensive line. He has the tools to play RT but could slide inside and be a decade-long Raiders.  Everything about that kid is Raiders."

Mauch would be a starter in game one for the Raiders in 2023, and has a high ceiling of being an elite long-term OL.

Our friends at NFLDraftBible.com describe him as "Mauch is an excellent athlete who possesses ideal lateral and vertical agility to mirror defenders in pass protection or climb to the second level and pick off linebackers in the run game. He quickly climbs to the second level and is always looking for work. Mauch has the grip strength to latch and sustain blocks against linemen, and these skills help him overwhelm defensive backs and linebackers. He frequently finishes opponents to the ground. Mauch's speed and athletic ability quickly eat up space as he closes to targets in the open field. While he showcases a good understanding of blocking angles and rushing lanes, Mauch sometimes overruns angles on his way to second-level players. He doesn't always have the ability to throttle down and get back in front of his man in these situations and resorts to lunging. Mauch consistently generates good push in the running game and has the strength to cave in and wash down the defensive line or seal edge rushers. He's explosive out of his stance and flashes plenty of pop and violence in his hands. In pass protection, Mauch diagnoses and passes off stunts. He displays effective and independent hand usage. Mauch's anchor is strong enough to absorb and deaden power rushes. He often prevents access to inside rush lanes."

One NFL Executive told me, "You can see some weaknesses that we think are more about coaching, and he has the willingness to be great.  No issues that coaching can't fix, and not concerns he can't take coaching."

2ND Round 59th Overall: Jack Campbell LB Iowa. In this scenario, the Raiders trade their 2024 second-round, sixth, and seventh-round picks to grab the Buffalo Bills' second-round choice. The Raiders are shocked to see the powerful day-one starter Jack Campbell still on the board, and they select him. Campbell has size, speed, and power with an even better ability: availability.  Not only does he look like he is chiseled out of granite, but he also plays like it.

Campbell would take the middle and never look back.

Our friends at NFLDraftBible.com say, "Extended frame with stretched-out limbs. Turns this into an advantage, scoping out the offense and attacking accordingly. Expert tackler who employs precision striking and consistent fundamentals. Capable of dropping his weight and launching to win the leverage game vs. ball carriers. Hand usage and arm length permit him to navigate in traffic, remaining clean on his path to the running back. Sufficient lateral agility to side-step linemen and fill into his assigned gap. Beats the opposing guard or tackle to his spot repeatedly, using acceleration and a dip technique to stay untouched. Knows his angles, leading to minimal excess in terms of yardage. Not afraid to get dirty as needed, plunging into blockers on wide zone plays to let defenders behind him fill. Useful Blitzer that uses downhill explosion to disrupt the quarterback's timing or pop in his pads to displace linemen. Impressive fluidity for his size, showing loose hips that empower him to drop into coverage. Range and instincts are most apparent here, where he surveys passing lanes and covers multiple reads at a time. Will cover backs and tight ends in man coverage, welcoming the responsibility. Very cerebral player that will align his defensive front and linebackers. Shows understanding of formations and tendencies, repeatedly sliding his d-line to correctly counter the offense."

One NFL Executive told me, "The Raiders have spent much time evaluating that young man.  He is an immediate starter, and Pat (Patrick Graham) will do wonders with him. He plays in a pro-style D at Iowa and is a thumper, and that guy would rather kill you than tackle you.  He plays angry and pissed off, which is funny when you meet him. A very warm young man. I could see that kid playing with Ten Hendricks, Lyle Alzado, Maxx Crosby, and fitting right in."

So tell me what you think, Raider Nation, and I'll have another "MOCK Draft Monday" next week with the latest I hear.

The 2023 NFL Draft will go from April 27-29 and be held at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo. March 7, 2023, before 4 p.m. EST, is the club's deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. Starting at 12 p.m. EDT on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EDT on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15.

The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EDT on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season. Please tell us your thoughts when you like our Facebook Page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.