Las Vegas Raiders find impact starters in this 7-round 2020 NFL mock draft

Round 4

Projected Starters: Clelin Ferrell, Maxx Crosby

Another rotational piece in this 4-3 defensive front, Jason Strowbridge impressed at the senior bowl after a quality season at North Carolina. Strowbridge is a typical defensive end with the ability to play against the run as well as in the pass-rush.

After drafting Clelin Ferrell and Maxx Crosby in the 2019 NFL Draft, Gruden has made clear that his vision for his defensive ends is to be classic 4-3 ends who can be functional on all three downs. Strowbridge fits into this philosophy and will be able to rotate in on either end as well as into the three-technique in pass-rushing situations.

Round 5

Projected Starter: Josh Jacobs

Described as a power back, weighing in at 209 pounds and putting up 29 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press, Scottie Phillips is much more than a typical power-runner. Phillips not only possesses the strength and physicality of a short-yardage dozer but also has the quickness and lateral agility to break off chunk gains. Similarly to a 2016 David Johnson, Phillips has one of the best jump-cuts in football to get to the outside hips of would-be tacklers and break contact on weak arm-tackles.

Phillips has also shown to be a viable option in the passing game at Ole Miss, reeling in eight catches for 77 yards and a touchdown on limited aerial opportunities. If Jacobs is to continue to succeed, the entire weight of the rushing offense cannot be placed on his shoulders. Current backup running back Jalen Richard fills in well for the role of a scat-back, but Phillips can be a perfect substitution for Jacobs’ role.