The Las Vegas Raiders face a critical decision with their early draft picks, balancing several significant needs. While running back is a prominent area of concern, with Ashton Jeanty (Boise State) potentially available at No. 6, the team’s most pressing issue arguably lies in the secondary.
The departures of Nate Hobbs in free agency and Jack Jones earlier this month leave the Raiders currently projected to start Jakorian Bennett, Decamerion Richardson, and Darnay Holmes at cornerback. Ideally, the Raiders should aim to add both a potential starting outside cornerback and a starting nickel corner within the first three rounds of the draft.
While running back is a clear area for improvement, the team’s most pressing concern arguably lies in the cornerback position. With the Raiders needing to bolster their secondary, Will Johnson from Michigan has emerged as a potential target.
The Raiders’ need at cornerback is significant, and Johnson’s talent aligns with addressing that need. He might even be available with a slight trade back, offering the Raiders some flexibility in their draft strategy.
This focus on the secondary would necessarily limit the team’s flexibility to address the running back position early. If Jeanty is selected at No. 6, the Raiders would likely need to allocate significant resources on Day 2 to bolster their defensive backfield.
Las Vegas Raiders Draft Needs: Alternatives To Ashton Jeanty
Fortunately, the second day of the draft is typically rich with starting-caliber talent in the secondary. Prospects such as Shavon Revel Jr. (East Carolina) possess the traits often sought in a Pete Carroll cornerback, and Darien Porter (Iowa State) could be an option around the Round 3/Round 4 range. Nohl Williams (Cal) and Jacob Parrish (Kansas State) both offer the physicality required for NFL slot corners, combined with impactful coverage abilities.
If the Raiders choose not to select Jeanty in the first round, their approach to the running back position should center on identifying a prospect capable of handling a significant workload from the outset.
Not all running backs are built to withstand 300 touches in their rookie season. Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State) would be an ideal target at the top of Round 2, and his familiarity with offensive coordinator Chip Kelly would facilitate a seamless transition. Kaleb Johnson (Iowa) and Damien Martinez (Miami) could be viable options in Round 3.