Las Vegas Raiders 7-round 2020 mock draft: Adding a playmaker

Round 3 

The Las Vegas Raiders got a much-needed cornerback with their first pick in the third round. Cameron Dantzler is a six-foot-two corner that provides some length at the position. There have been concerns raised about his long-distance speed as he posted a 4.64 forty-yard-dash time at the NFL Combine.

Dantzler has a nose for the ball and finds himself always in a good position to make plays. In his last year at Mississippi State, he had 10 pass deflections and two interceptions. Dantzler is a physical corner with quick speed and does a good job covering receivers in man coverage. The thing I love about Dantzler is the swag he brings to the game. He is a tough, gritty player that fights for the ball when it’s in the air.

At the next level, Dantzler is going to need to show these coaches that he is confident in his technique and won’t be as hands-on. He was flagged a ton in college for being too physical. If he relies on his technique this will help him take his game to the next level.

I think the Raiders had great value with this choice as Dantzler was the top-rated cornerback at the time and a huge position of need. Dantzler rounds up a pretty good secondary that includes, Jonathan Abram, Lamarcus Joyner, Damarious Randall, Trayvon Mullen, and Nevin Lawson.

With this selection, I can see Dantzler competing in camp for one of the three starting spots in the secondary and contributing in nickel or dime situations.

This pick was my absolute favorite pick for the Las Vegas Raiders. With back to back picks in the third round, I decided to double up on defensive backs and give the Raiders an all-around playmaker. As a late riser in the 2020 NFL Draft, Burgess is an all-around safety that could help the Raiders in a major way.

Burgess is one of my favorite prospects in this 2020 NFL Draft class because of how ready he is to play right away. He is a very consistent tackler and doesn’t make too many mistakes in coverage. It’s hard to fool Burgess as he is very smart with receiver combos and knows where to be with the ball in the air.

The Las Vegas Raiders have a few good safeties in Jeff Heath, Damarious Randall, and Johnathan Abram. But here is why I think adding Burgess to the fold is smart. Burgess can play single-high safety as well as in the box. He is a consistent tackler and most importantly can cover in the slot if needed. This trait will allow him to get on the field early with the Raiders and help their secondary. Even with the other safeties on the field, Burgess can cover receivers, backs, and tight ends.

Lastly, Burgess would provide depth for a position that has had injury history last year with Abram going out. Overall, I love this pick for the Raiders and think they got instantly better on defense.

With their third pick in the third round, the Las Vegas Raiders select Brycen Hopkins tight end from Purdue. This pick by no means puts Darren Waller’s job in question. Waller performed so well last year as the Raiders number one receiving threat and that will continue. This pick serves as another receiving threat that can make plays for this offense.

I didn’t like what the board showed me as far as other receivers, but Hopkins’s name stood out to me. I love the ability Hopkins stretch the field much like Waller. This would give the Raiders two tough players to guard with height and mismatch ability.

Hopkins lines up outside a lot and uses his dynamic ability to get up the seams. I love his ability to make spectacular catches. He made a ton of difficult catches in college that he made look easy. Where Hopkins struggles is when he is asked to be physical and be an in-line blocker. He needs to develop more strength to be able to compete inside.

The Las Vegas Raiders would add another big-bodied play-maker that would help open up large throwing windows for the quarterback. If Hopkins can gain strength and continue to develop route-running skills, I think he has a chance to be the Raiders number two tight end to start the season. Even though Hopkins doesn’t make a lot of people miss in space he is more than a reliable option for the Raiders at 91.